[Contribution of transcervical mediastinoscopy and anterior mediastinostomy to the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphomas]. / Aportación de la mediastinoscopia transcervical y mediastinotomía anterior al diagnóstico de los linfomas mediastínicos.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study has been to assess the profitability of mediastinal explorations (transcervical mediastinoscopy and anterior mediastinostomy) in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphomas within a short-stay surgery programme. Out of 129 mediastinal explorations conducted within a period of six years, 63 were programmed as short-stay surgery, 24 of which were due to mediastinal lymphomas. Fourteen patients were discharged from the hospital within the first twelve hours and ten patients, after 24 hours. RESULTS: There were 11 cases of Hodgkin's lymphomas and 13 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. No immediate complications were developed by the patients, with just two minor complications which did not delay hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Mediastinal explorations (transcervical mediastinoscospy and anterior mediastinostomy) can be planned as short-stay surgery without any risks if they are conducted by groups with experience in these surgical techniques and provided with an adequate care infrastructure. This allows a more rationale usage of hospital resources without reducing the quality of care.