Thoracotomy (Noun)
Meaning
Surgical incision into the chest walls opening up the pleural cavity.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- A thoracotomy was performed to assess the damage to the lung and chest wall following the traumatic injury.
- The thoracic surgeon carefully made a thoracotomy to gain access to the bleeding vessel within the pleural cavity.
- An anterior thoracotomy incision is used in a limited number of cardiac surgeries such as certain types of cardiac transplants.
- Following a stab wound to the chest a thoracotomy may be necessary to access and assess damage to underlying tissues and organs.
- An intercostal thoracotomy involves an incision made between two adjacent ribs.