Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis Treated by Thoracoscopic Drainage in the Prone Position—A Case Report—

Key Points

• This report aims to present a novel approach to treating descending necrotizing mediastinitis using thoracoscopic drainage.
• Emergency surgery performed due to the diagnosis of descending necrotizing mediastinitis.
• Thoracoscopic drainage conducted through a right-side approach while the patient was in the prone position.
• Neck incision and drainage performed postoperatively after changing the patient's position.
• Postoperative outcomes included the recognition of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.
• No need for tracheostomy during recovery.
• The patient was discharged home 24 days after surgery.