🔍 Key Findings
- Mediastinoscopy was technically feasible in large-breed canine cadavers using a SILS port and standard laparoscopic instruments.
- The left tracheobronchial lymph node (LTBLN) was successfully retrieved in all cadavers (7/7), while cranial mediastinal lymph nodes were retrieved in only 1/7.
- Postprocedural pleural gas was observed in 4/7 cadavers, likely due to CO₂ insufflation.
- Instrument limitations with a human-designed mediastinoscope led to preference for laparoscopic instruments and SILS port for improved access and visualization.
- Complication rates were low, with only two minor (Grade 1) adverse events (pleural tear and LN rupture).
- Obesity and mediastinal fat were cited as potential challenges to visualization and node retrieval.
- NASA-TLX workload scores were lowest for tracheobronchial nodes, indicating these were the easiest to access.
- The authors concluded this approach may facilitate minimally invasive biopsy or resection of cranial mediastinal masses in live dogs, but clinical trials are needed to validate safety and efficacy.
