Descending necrotizing mediastinitis has been thoroughly described in the past, but we could not find a detailed description of the technique to perform adequate drainage and lavage of all the mediastinal and thoracic spaces. We describe the procedure as we perform it, emphasizing the sites for incision and proper drainage of all the mediastinal compartments and the contralateral thoracic cavity.
MinHKChoiYSShimYMKimJ. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a minimally invasive approach using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Ann Thorac Surg2004; 77: 306–310.
2.
NakamoriYFujimiSOguraH. Conventional open surgery versus percutaneous catheter drainage in the treatment of cervical necrotizing fasciitis and descending necrotizing mediastinitis. AJR Am J Roentgenol2004; 182: 1443–1449.
3.
MisthosPKatsaragakisSKakarisSTheodorouDSkottisI. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: analysis of survival and surgical treatment modalities. J Oral Maxillofac Surg2007; 65: 635–639.
