Abstract
Continuous effort has been made for further development of mediastinoscopy since the author's presentation at the annual meeting of this Society in 1971 and the results of experiences at 12 different medical institutes are summarized as follows:
1. Based on the anatomy of the mediastinum, it is more rational to devide the superior mediastinum into the anterior, middle and posterior parts.
2. THE JAPANESE RESEARCH GROUP OF THE NEW DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR THE MEDIASTINAL LESION has collected 1383 cases referred to mediastinoscopy. Our diagnostic methods are very helpful for;
a) Determining lymphnode involvement in the contralateral mediastinum from the primary lesion of the bronchogenic carcinoma and providing a great deal of information on resectabilty of the lesion and proper assessment of radiation therapy.
b) Making diagnosis of other mediastinal disease such as thymic or lymphatic tumor, excision of which is sometimes possible during the procedures.
3. There were 40 complications encountered in 1383 procedures, none of which resulted in grave morbidity.
4. Improvement of mediastinoscope and trial of extended mediastinoscopy for the esophageal disease, inferior mediastinal or retrosternal lesion were discussed.
This study was supported by the grant from the Cancer Control Program of the Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare.
