[Value of mediastinoscopy and mediastinotomy in exploration of the mediastinum (author's transl)].

The value of the information provided by mediastinoscopy or cervical mediastinotomy was evaluated in 150 cases by means of tests measuring diagnostic efficiency with calculated agreement coefficient. An accurate histological diagnosis was made in 100 out of 116 mediastinal syndromes (adenopathy, mediastinal or paramediastinal tumors). In cases with negative results exploratory surgery is required. The operability of bronchial carcinoma was assessed in 34 cases selected for their location and radiological extension. A negative mediastinoscopy makes it very unlikely that an inoperable cancer will be found. In bronchial carcinoma, mediastinoscopy is recommended whenever the risk attending excision of a tumor with lymph node involvement is to be weighed against the high operative risk in a debilitated patient. The usefulness of these exploratory procedures is enhanced by anterior mediastinotomy in cases with anterior tumor and in some left-sided bronchial cancers.