Extended cervical mediastinoscopy revisited

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 2014-01, Vol.45 (1), p.114-119
• Main Authors: Witte, Biruta, Wolf, Michael, Hillebrand, Hubertus, Kriegel, Elke, Huertgen, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - classification; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - surgery; Lymph Node Excision - methods; Male; Mediastinoscopy - methods; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted - methods; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezt313

OBJECTIVES To describe the diagnostic value of selective extended cervical mediastinoscopy (ECM) in combination with video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) in mediastinal staging of potentially resectable left-sided lung carcinoma. METHODS Institutional report on 110 ECM procedures indicated for enlarged lymph nodes within the aorto-pulmonary (AP) zone on computed tomography. Staging sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and specificity of ECM, combined VAMLA and ECM, VAMLA alone and systematic dissection for lung resection via left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy were calculated from a subset of 92 patients with left-sided lung carcinoma. RESULTS Selective ECM was performed in 12.6% of all video-mediastinoscopic procedures, and added, except for one vascular complication, there was no morbidity. ECM had an impact on mediastinal staging in 78.0% of the lung cancer cases. Sensitivity, NPV and specificity were 0.94, 0.96 and 1 for ECM to detect nodal involvement within the AP zone. Sensitivity, NPV and specificity to detect any mediastinal diseases were 0.94, 0.96 and 1 for the combination of ECM and VAMLA; 0.64, 0.80 and 1 for VAMLA alone and 0.76, 0.84 and 1 for systematic mediastinal dissection via left-sided VATS or thoracotomy approach. CONCLUSIONS ECM complements VAMLA in comprehensive mediastinal dissection. Selective ECM is a valuable addendum to mediastinoscopic staging procedures for left-sided tumours, as it enhances sensitivity and NPV. Precaution and experience are required to circumvent the rare risk of potentially fatal vascular accidents.