Thoracotomy: What It Is, Purpose, Procedure & Recovery
A thoracotomy is a procedure that lets a surgeon see into the thoracic cavity to diagnose an illness or to treat one. The surgeon can see your lungs, heart, aorta, esophagus and possibly …
Thoracotomy - Wikipedia
A thoracotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting open the chest wall to gain access into the pleural cavity. [1] It is mostly performed by specialist cardiothoracic surgeons, although …
Thoracotomy - American Lung Association
Nov 20, 2024 · What Is a Thoracotomy? A thoracotomy is a surgical procedure in which a cut is made between the ribs to see and reach the lungs or other organs in the chest or thorax.
Thoracotomy: Procedure, Preparation, and Recovery - WebMD
Nov 3, 2023 · A thoracotomy is when a surgeon goes between your ribs to get to your heart, lungs, or esophagus to diagnose or treat an illness.
Thoracotomy - Lung and Airway Disorders - Merck Manual …
Thoracotomy is an operation in which the chest wall is opened to view the internal chest organs, to obtain samples of tissue for laboratory examination, and to treat disorders of the lungs, …
Thoracotomy | The American Association for Thoracic Surgery
For the typical lung procedure, the thoracotomy is made in the fourth or fifth intercostal space, which allows entry into the pleural space directly over the pulmonary hilum.
Thoracotomy: Use, procedure, and outlook - Medical News Today
Jul 20, 2023 · A thoracotomy is an incision in the chest and is normally carried out so the doctor can operate on the heart, lungs, or other structures in the chest. This is a way to treat lung cancer.
What Is a Thoracotomy and When Is It Needed? - Biology Insights
Dec 3, 2025 · A thoracotomy is a major surgical procedure that involves making an incision into the chest wall to gain access to the organs within the thoracic cavity. This approach allows …
Thoracotomy - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Thoracotomy describes an incision made in the chest wall to access the contents of the thoracic cavity. Thoracotomies typically can be divided into two categories; anterolateral thoracotomies …
Thoracotomy: Procedure, Side Effects, and Recovery - Healthline
Jul 5, 2017 · A thoracotomy is surgery to open your chest. During this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in the chest wall between your ribs, usually to operate on your lungs. …