After Mediastinoscopy
You just had a procedure called a Mediastinoscopy. This is a procedure to look inside your mediastinum, the space between the chest and the lungs. This procedure is useful in diagnosing and staging some types of cancer. During this procedure, a scope was inserted through a small incision made in the neck. By looking through the scope your health care provider was able to look for tumors and lymph nodes.
Activity
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Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours after your procedure.
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You will need someone else to drive you home.
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You may return to your other normal activities 24 hours after the procedure.
Home Care
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Follow your health care providers instructions for incision site care.
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Keep your head elevated to prevent swelling
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It is okay to cough and take deep breaths. There is no need to keep yourself from coughing.
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Eat only soft foods and liquids. Add solid foods at your own pace.
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Drink more fluids. This will make coughing up phlegm easier and less painful.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Call 911 right away if you have:
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Trouble breathing
- Bleeding at the incision site that will not stop
- Swelling at the incision site and around your neck and throat
Call your doctor right away if you have: