[Indications for mediatinoscopy (author's transl)].

The problems of routine mediastinoscopy such as the differential diagnosis of unrecognisable specific pathology of the mediastinum or lung, assessment of the operability of malignancy in the thorax prior to surgery, and the execution of minor mediastinal surgery are discussed. It is recommended that mediastinoscopy may also be performed where no radiological abnormality exists, and it is considered necessary that it is performed with biopsy where bronchial carcinoma has already been positively identified. Personal experience shows that previous mediastinoscopy or mediastinal irradiation are not contraindications to this procedure, but an adequate thoracic surgical unit and adequate after-care are essential prerequisites.