A prospective audit evaluating the role of video-assisted cervical mediastinoscopy (VAM) as a training tool.
OBJECTIVE
Cervical mediastinoscopy is an important diagnostic and staging technique. Limited operative field and visibility have traditionally made it a difficult procedure to learn and supervise. Video-assisted techniques can aid training in the procedure. We designed a prospective study to assess the usefulness of video-assisted mediastinoscopy (VAM) as a training tool.


METHODS
43 patients were operated upon by two trainees during their initial formation in general thoracic surgery (25 patients in 15 months, and 18 patients in 9 months, respectively).


METHODS
staging (n = 23), diagnosis of enlarged mediastinal nodes (n = 14) and diagnosis/staging (n = 6). End-points of the study: operative time, need of consultant assistance during procedures, and ability of the trainee to identify all nodal stations independently.


RESULTS
There were no complications. The mean operative time was 29 (range 18-51) min. Valid histological samples were obtained in all cases. There were no false negative results in the 13 patients who underwent subsequent lung resection (sensitivity 100%). Operative time (R2 = 0.83 and 0.77), need for consultant assistance (R2 = 0.98 and 0.94), and failure to independently reach all nodal stations (R2 = 0.95 and 0.94) significantly decreased with experience in both trainees' cases (cubic curve fit; P < 0.001 throughout).


CONCLUSIONS
VAM permits a rapid learning and adequate supervision of the technique without compromising safety, operative time or completeness of the procedure. The main advantages are: increased visual field, image magnification, adequate light source and the ability to use two instruments simultaneously. VAM should be the technique of choice in thoracic surgical teaching units.
Martin-Ucar
A E
AE
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK.
Chetty
G K
GK
Vaughan
R
R
Waller
D A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008481:Mediastinoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors