title: [Technical complications in the surgical inspection of the mediastinum in the staging of cancer of the lung].
abstract: Between January 1974 and December 1996 we performed exploratory surgery (mediastinoscopies/mediastinotomies) on 1,618 patients diagnosed of bronchogenic carcinoma who were considered functionally operable and whose cancer was believed to be resectable. Findings were positive in 26%. Thirty-four (2.1%) complications were encountered, with a significantly higher incidence of complication among those for whom the results of exploratory surgery were positive (p = 0.004) as follows: only 13 cases (0.8%) of significant bleeding; 12 cases (0.74%) of recurrent left nerve palsy (0.74%), 4 (0.25%) subcutaneous wound infections; 3 cases (0.18%) of pneumothorax; 1 (0.06%) perforated esophagus; and 1 case (0.06%) of chylomediastinum. The rate of morbidity associated with exploratory surgery was within the range reported in the literature. No deaths occurred. Mediastinoscopy, in our experience, is the most effective way of staging mediastinal ganglia. Provided the procedure is performed carefully by experienced surgeons, the risk of complication is minimal.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Martín de Nicolás Serrahima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García Barajas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marrón Fernández
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Díaz-Hellín Gude
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larrú Cabrero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oteo Lozano
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pérez Antón
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toledo González
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008481:Mediastinoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies