Conservative management (packing) of hemorrhage complicating mediastinoscopy.

Major hemorrhage is an uncommon complication of mediastinoscopy. Although there is a paucity of published data on the management of this problem, sternotomy and arterial repair is usually considered the treatment of choice. Two major hemorrhagic complications (1 definite and 1 possible pulmonary artery tear) occurred in a series of 324 mediastinoscopies. Mediastinoscopic gauze packing successfully controlled the hemorrhage.