Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a potentially lethal infection originating from the oropharynx. Adequate abscess drainage is crucial to successful treatment. We present novel management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis using a series of anterior mediastinal incisions adjoined by Penrose drains. The success of this treatment was dependent on radiographic documentation of infection confined to the anterior cervicothoracic plane.
Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.