Clinical application of left parasternal anterior mediastinaotomy / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the value of left parasternal anterior mediastinaotomy (Chamberlain procedure) in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node enlargement with unknown causes and anterior mediastinal space-taking lesions. Methods By using the Chamberlain procedure, biopsy was performed in 32 cases of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes with unknown causes or mediastinal space-taking lesions, which were found by CT scans. Results All of the 32 cases were pathologically diagnosed, with a diagnostic accuracy of 100%. Three patients with pericardial effusion received concurrent pericardial fenestration and then their symptoms relieved. Four patients underwent concurrent lung biopsy. The operating time was (48?15) min, the blood lose was ( 40.6?23.5) ml, and the postoperative hospital stay (3.6?1.4) days. No deaths or postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions Chamberlain procedure is a safe and valuable method in the diagnosis of mediastinal space-taking lesions with unknown causes or enlargement of the fifth and sixth groups of mediastinal lymph nodes, which routine mediastinoscope cannot reach. Some other simple therapies, such as lung biopsy or pericardial fenestration, can also be employed at the same time.