thoracotomy

thoracotomy /tho·ra·cot·o·my/ (-kot´ah-me) pleurotomy; incision of the chest wall.

---

tho·ra·cot·o·my (thôr-kt-m)

n.

Incision into the chest wall. Also called pleurotomy.

---

Thoracotomy

Open chest surgery.

Mentioned in: Thoracoscopy

---

thoracotomy

[thôr′əkot′əmē]

Etymology: Gk, thorax + temnein, to cut

a surgical opening into the thoracic cavity. See also anterolateral thoracotomy, median sternotomy, posterolateral thoracotomy.

---

thoracotomy [thor″ah-kot´ah-me]

incision of the chest wall; see also thoracic surgery. Called also pleuracotomy and pleurotomy.

---

thoracotomy

incision of the chest wall; may be intercostal, by rib resection or trans-sternal.

---

transsternal thoracotomy

the usual intercostal incision is extended across the sternum to the opposite intercostal space. Used when very wide exposure to the thorax is required.

---

thoracotomy

Surgery An operation to open the chest and to directly access the mediastinum to visualize, biopsy, or treat Indications Lesions inaccessible by, or too large for, mediastinoscopy or mediastinotomy; open cardiac massage. Cf Mediastinoscopy, Mediastinotomy, Open lung biopsy.