Experience with 1 36 fine-needle aspiration biopsies of mediastinal masses performed in 84 patients is reviewed. Biopsies were performed in all compartments of the mediastinum regardless of age. The biopsy technique included a 22-gauge needle with limitation of needle passes to an arbitrary number of three. The biopsy procedure was guided by either fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT); guidance by CT is advantageous in the region of the thoracic inlet, hilum, and middle mediastinum, ADLER ET AL.

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Tracheal anastomosis, after circumferential resection, and bronchial anastomosis, after sleeve resection, have become widely accepted procedures. Nevertheless, there appears to be no agreement as to the optimal suture material for these anastomoses. Fifty-two rabbits were operated on, and 10 cervical tracheal rings were resected in each animal. End-to-end anastomosis was performed using 5/0 silk, chronic catgut, Teflon-coated polyester, coated polyglactin 910, polypropylene, or polydioxanone sutures. Twelve rabbits died. Rabbits which survived the intended length of time were evaluated with respect to acute and chronic inflammation and stricture formation. The results suggest that polypropylene is the best suture material, whereas silk is the worst material. Monofilament sutures should be used with caution for bronchial anastomosis, as their bristly knots can perforate adjacent blood vessels.