The value of mediastinoscopy in the assessment of the operability of bronchial carcinoma respective five years survival after resection.

Of 740 mediastinoscopies carried out from january 1966 to january 1976, 581 were performed to assess the operability of a pulmonary carcinoma. Of these, 42% were positive and 58% were negative. The remaining 159 mediastinoscopies were performed as aids in the diagnosis of affections of the lungs and mediastinum. Of these, 63% were positive and 37% were negative. Patients with bronchial carcinoma and a negative mediastinoscopy were regarded as operable; patients with a positive mediastinoscopy were regarded as inoperable because of mediastinal metastases (Nohl, 1956; Reynders, 1964; Carlens, 1965). Nevertheless a small number of patients with a positive mediastinoscopy were operated during an initial period.