Mediastinoscopy as a routine outpatient procedure.

We reviewed our experience performing mediastinoscopy as an outpatient procedure. From January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1992, 1,015 of 1,062 cervical mediastinoscopies were performed on an outpatient basis. There were no operative deaths. Complications developed in 14 patients, 10 of whom required hospitalization. Two additional patients were hospitalized for social reasons. Supraventricular arrhythmia was the most frequent complication requiring admission to the hospital. This article documents the ability to perform mediastinoscopy safely as an outpatient procedure and discusses why this is our preferred approach in managing patients with lung cancer.