Thorakotomie

Thoracotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting through the chest wall to access the pleural cavity and the organs within, primarily the lungs and heart. It is an open surgical technique rather than a minimally invasive one. The procedure typically begins with a general anesthetic. An incision is made on the side of the chest, often between the ribs. To gain wider access to the thoracic cavity, the surgeon may need to spread the ribs apart using a retractor, a process that requires cutting or dividing the intercostal muscles. In some cases, a rib may be removed to improve exposure. Once the chest wall is open, the surgeon can operate on the lungs, heart, esophagus, or other structures within the chest. After the necessary surgical intervention is completed, the ribs are brought back together, and the muscles, subcutaneous tissue, and skin are closed with sutures or staples. Chest tubes are usually inserted before closing to drain any residual air or fluid and to help re-expand the lung. Thoracotomy is performed for a variety of reasons, including lung cancer resection, repair of heart defects, removal of tumors, treatment of trauma, and lung transplantation. While effective, it is a major surgery with a significant recovery period, often involving post-operative pain and breathing exercises. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a less invasive alternative that uses smaller incisions and a camera, and is preferred when possible.