Successful utilization of the median sternotomy approach in the management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis: report of a case.

We describe herein the case of a patient in whom a median sternotomy was successfully employed for mediastinal drainage in the treatment of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Although most reports describe cervical or thoracotomy approaches, our experience strongly suggests that median sternotomy is a satisfactory alternative approach for treatment of this disease.