Chressheynaya mediastinotomy

Transcervical mediastinotomy is a surgical operation in which an incision is made on the anterior surface of the neck to access the mediastinum. This approach allows surgeons to visualize and operate on mediastinal structures such as the thymus, lymph nodes, trachea, esophagus, and great vessels.

Indications for transcervical mediastinotomy include mediastinal tumors (eg, thymoma or lymphoma), mediastinal cysts, and abscesses. This approach can also be used to remove an enlarged thymus or goiter, biopsy lymph nodes, and repair injuries to the esophagus or trachea.

The operation begins with a skin incision in the area of ​​the jugular notch. The incision continues through the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia of the neck. The muscles are then bluntly pulled apart and the pretracheal space is reached. After identifying and mobilizing the vessels and nerves of the neck, the surgeon gains access to the mediastinum.

Compared with other methods, the transcervical approach provides good visualization of the middle part of the mediastinum. However, this approach is limited in its access to the posterior mediastinum. Complications include damage to blood vessels, nerves, or the esophagus. Postoperative complications may include seroma, hematoma, and cicatricial stenosis of the trachea or esophagus. Therefore, transcervical mediastinotomy requires careful technique and knowledge of the anatomy of the mediastinum and neck.