Thoracotomy

Emergency Thoracotomy

A thoracotomy is a surgical procedure involving an incision into the chest wall to gain access to the thoracic cavity. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat conditions affecting the lungs, heart, esophagus, or other organs within the chest.

Indications

Thoracotomy is indicated for various medical conditions, including but not limited to:

• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Trauma to the chest

Procedure

The procedure can be performed using different types of incisions, depending on the specific area that needs to be accessed:

• **Posterolateral thoracotomy**: The most common type, involving an incision along the back and side of the chest.
• **Anterolateral thoracotomy**: An incision made on the front and side of the chest.
• **Axillary thoracotomy**: An incision made under the arm.

During the procedure, the patient is typically under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes the incision and spreads the ribs to access the thoracic cavity. Depending on the underlying condition, the surgeon may remove part of a lung, repair damaged tissues, or perform other necessary interventions.

Recovery

Recovery from a thoracotomy can be extensive and may involve:

• Pain management
• Respiratory therapy
• Physical therapy
• Monitoring for complications such as infection, bleeding, or pneumonia

Patients may need to stay in the hospital for several days to weeks, depending on the complexity of the surgery and their overall health.

Complications

Potential complications of thoracotomy include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pneumonia
• Atelectasis
• Respiratory failure
• Chronic pain

See Also

• Thoracoscopy
• Lobectomy
• Pneumonectomy
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
• Cardiothoracic surgery

Related Pages

• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Trauma

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