title: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis.
abstract: Between 1990-1999, six patients (mean age, 41.5 years) with the diagnosis of descending necrotizing mediastinitis were surgically treated at our institution. All patients underwent cervical drainage plus an aggressive mediastinal debridement and drainage via posterolateral thoracotomy. The outcome was favorable in all cases. All patients received initially a high dose of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In four patients, a tracheostomy was necessary for respiratory management. We also review the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mitjans
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sanchís
authors.forename: X B
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Padro
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garolera
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Garay
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents