Evaluation of the mediastinum by invasive techniques.

The value of invasive staging of the mediastinum is its greater accuracy in assessing the operability of lung cancer compared to noninvasive techniques. In expert hands, invasive mediastinal exploration results in little morbidity or mortality. For these reasons, we continue to use mediastinoscopy routinely in evaluating the mediastinum prior to advising thoracotomy for resection in the management of lung cancer.