• Reference Number: HEY1573/2025
• Departments: Cardiac Surgery
• Last Updated: 30 April 2025

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your treatment procedure mediastinoscopy. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.

What is a Mediastinoscopy

A mediastinoscopy is a procedure which allows your surgeon to visually examine the lymph nodes and space within your chest between your lungs called the mediastinum. The procedure is performed through a small incision in the front of your upper chest, this allows for a flexible scope to be passed to visualise the /upper middle chest and to take biopsies.

Why do I need a Mediastinoscopy

Your scans have identified that the lymph nodes in the middle of your chest are a little larger than expected and/or are more active on the PET scan than surrounding tissues. The procedure can identify if cancer is present in the lymph nodes, it can also help to stage the cancer. Your surgeon has deemed this to be a suitable procedure to offer you.

Can there be any complications or risks

• Bleeding
• Wound infection
• Chest infection or pneumonia
• Infection at the wound site
• Pneumothorax (a collapsed or partially collapsed lung)
• Air trapped in the skin, known as surgical emphysema

How do I prepare for the…?

There is no specific preparation for the surgery however you should eat well and exercise within your limits, you should be as physically fit and well Nourished as this prepares you for surgery and your recovery afterwards. If you have signs of an infection for example a cough, cold or sore throat your procedure may be postponed.

What will happen?

• You will be admitted to ward 27 Castle Hill Hospital the day before your procedure.
• You will be greeted by a member of the ward team on your arrival
• Your surgeon will perform your procedure
• The procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic
• You would generally be allowed home later in the day following your procedure

What happens afterwards?

• This You will be encouraged to be mobile following your procedure
• Any histology results may take 2 to 3 weeks to process
• Recovery period is around 5 to 7 days
• Expected length of stay in hospital vary between 1 to 2 days
• Following the procedure, you should take regular pain relief

You will be contacted by your surgeon around two weeks following your discharge from the ward who will check on your recovery and explain the biopsy results. You may also be contacted by the Macmillan Thoracic Surgery Lung CNS Team with any further information for example if your case has

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact Ward 27 Castle Hill hospital on tel: 01482 461621 or the Macmillan Lung CNS Team on tel: 01482 461090.