Procedures on the Mediastinum

Abstract

A number of surgical approaches to the anterior mediastinum have been devised (Fig. 1). The partial or full median sternotomy (a) gives access to the entire anterior mediastinum (see Sect. 4 and 5). The anterior parasternal thoracotomy (b) usually requires the division of one or more costal cartilages. It is especially recommended for the biopsy of laterally situated lesions and can be extended to an anterolateral thoracotomy as required. The cervical or collar mediastinotomy (c) is the standard incision for mediastinoscopy and for entering the anterior mediastinum by blunt dissection (see Sect. 2 and 3).