An animal experimental study on access to mediastinum with flexible endoscope via suprasternal fossa

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of mediastinum examination with flexi- ble endoscope via suprasternal fossa. Methods A total of 20 healthy pigs were enrolled. Mediastinocosopy was performed via a tunnel to thoracix through a 1.5 cm incision on suprasternal fossa. Mediastinum was observed and complications were recorded. Results Mediastinocosopy was successfully achieved in all pigs. No severe bleeding or death occurred during the procedure. Five pigs got fever after the procedure with elevated white blood cell count. Four pigs had pneumothorax and three of them died in 1-6 days. Conclusion Mediastinocosopy with flexible endoscope through suprasternal fossa is feasible to diagnose mediastinal diseases,which can be important experimental evidence for the mini-invasive therapy of mediastimum diseases. Key words: Mediastinum;  Animal experimentation;  Diagnosis ;  Flexible endoscope