What is a Mediastinoscopy?

A mediastinoscopy allows doctors to check the space between your lungs called the mediastinum. This space contains your heart, food pipe (eso(esophagus), windpipe (trachea). Doctors use a special tool called a mediastinoscope to look inside this area. This thin tube comes equipped with a light and a camera. It can also remove tissue samples, lymph nodes (parts of your immune system), or masses.

Why do doctors perform a Mediastinoscopy? Your doctor might suggest a mediastinoscopy: To get a clearer view of the space between your lungs To remove or sample your lymph nodes in this area to check for cancer. This procedure helps them determine the stage of cancer in your lung, thymus gland, and esophagus. Though it's not as frequent, your doctor might perform a mediastinoscopy if you have a lung infection. This test can also diagnose lymphoma, sarcoidosis, and mesothelioma.

How should I get ready for a Mediastinoscopy? Getting ready for a mediastinoscopy starts several days before your scheduled test. You need to:

• Show up to appointments for a chest X-ray, CT scan, lung function test and other exams your doctor asks for.
• Discontinue taking blood thinners a few days before your procedure.
• Skip food and drinks for a few hours before your procedure.

Can I go home the same day after a Mediastinoscopy? Yes. You should be able to return home on the day of your mediastinoscopy. Before letting you leave, your doctor will check if you can:

• Walk around
• Drink fluids
• Use the bathroom
• Handle your pain You might also be observed for a day or two, based on your condition/health issues.

What happens during a Mediastinoscopy? A mediastinoscopy involves several steps:

• The medical team will administer anesthesia through an IV in your arm to induce sleep and prevent pain.
• They will insert a breathing tube into your throat to enable machine-assisted breathing.
• The surgeon will make a small incision about 1 inch long, above your breastbone.
• They will introduce a mediastinoscope through this incision.
• The doctor will guide the mediastinoscope to the target area.
• Using the tool on the scope, they will extract or sample abnormal lymph nodes or spots.
• The medical team will remove the mediastinoscope.
• They will close the incision made for the mediastinoscope.
• The anesthesiologist will wake you up and remove your breathing tube. A mediastinoscopy lasts one hour. Sometimes, it can take longer if your doctor needs to explore or take additional samples.

What happens after a Mediastinoscopy? When you come out of general anesthesia, you'll feel drowsy for a few hours. If you're not having any problems after your procedure, a family member or friend can drive you home. Remember, you can't drive yourself home after anesthesia. You will experience numbness in your mouth and throat for several hours. This happens because of the breathing tube your doctors use to help you breathe. To keep you safe, they won't allow you to eat or drink during this period. The next day, you might have a cough, hoarse voice or sore throat, and you may feel pain at the site of the cut. Your doctor might ask you to get a chest X-ray to check if your lungs are okay after your mediastinoscopy.

What risks come with Mediastinoscopy? Most people don't run into problems with mediastinoscopy. But some individuals might face:

• Lung infection (pneumonia)
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Bleeding
• Infected wound

What do the results mean? Your mediastinoscopy procedure will give your doctor information to stage your cancer. The stage describes the tumor size and if it has spread. A lab needs a few days to analyze your tissue samples (biopsy). If you have cancer, your doctor will need time to create a treatment plan just for you based on your results.

When should I call a doctor? Get in touch with your doctor if you experience any of these after leaving the hospital:

• Pain in your chest
• High temperature
• Trouble breathing
• Signs of the infection at the incision site
• A cough or voice change that doesn't improve after a few days