Negative pressure catheter drainage and jejunal feeding for descending necrotizing mediastinitis by interventional techniques: a retrospective study

Purpose: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a lethal and acute suppurative disease. This report aimed to summarize our experience in the treatment of DNM with continuous negative pressure catheter drainage and transnasal jejunal feeding by interventional techniques. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed relevant clinical data of patients with DNM who underwent continuous negative pressure catheter drainage and transnasal jejunal feeding. All drainage catheters and jejunal feeding tubes were inserted by interventional techniques. Results: In total, 21 patients were diagnosed with DNM by esophagography and computed tomography (CT). Catheters for the drainage of mediastinal abscesses as well as transnasal jejunal feeding tubes were successfully placed in all patients, indicating a 100% success rate. Of all patients, 13 underwent insertion of abscess drainage catheters through percutaneous puncture under DynaCT guidance, while eight had drainage catheter insertion through fistula orifices in the posterior nasopharyngeal wall or esophagus under fluoroscopic guidance. In total, 26 drainage tubes were inserted. One patient with diabetes died of sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis 5 days postoperatively, while the remaining 20 patients showed good recovery with successful removal of the drainage catheters. Durations of catheterization were 45.2±50.44 days. The overall clinical success rate was 95.2%. Conclusion: The above described methods are non-surgical, minimally invasive and efficacious, and may be alternative therapeutic tools for patients who are not eligible for surgical operation, have a high postoperative risk, or are more likely to choose minimally invasive techniques.