Mediastinoscopy: Risks
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Risks
Complications from mediastinoscopy are uncommon but may include bleeding, infection, a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), a tear in the esophagus, damage to a blood vessel, or injury to a nerve near the voice box (larynx) which may cause permanent hoarseness.
After the procedure, contact your doctor immediately if you have:
- Bleeding from your stitches.
- A fever.
- Severe chest pain.
- Swelling in the neck.
- Shortness of breath.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Hoarseness of your voice that lasts more than a few days or continues to get worse.
| Last updated: | March 21, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer |
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