Mediastinoscopy with biopsy
The mediastinum is the space
that separates the 2 lungs and contains the heart, thymus, esophagus,
trachea, the large blood vessels, and lymph nodes. A mediastinoscopy is
a procedure in which a lighted instrument (mediastinoscope) is inserted
through a neck incision to visually examine the structures in the top of
the chest cavity.
Most commonly this procedure is used to examine lymph nodes in a patient
with lung cancer, for disease staging purposes. A sample (biopsy) may be
taken with the mediastinoscope.
How the test is performed
This procedure is done in the hospital. You will be given a general
anesthesia. An endotracheal tube is inserted. An incision is made in the
neck and the mediastinoscope is inserted through this incision into the
mid-part of the chest. Tissue samples are taken, usually of the lymph
nodes surrounding the airway. The scope is then withdrawn, and the
incision is closed with stitches.
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How to prepare for the test
You must sign an informed consent form. You will not be able to have
food or fluid for 8 hours before the test.
How Long will you be in Hospital?
You will be admitted the night before surgery and if there are no
further investigations that need to be done and if the surgery is
uncomplicated, you will be able to go home the day after surgery.
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