Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Bartlett, Robert L. "Resuscitative Thoracotomy." (Chapter 17). In Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1998.
Townsend, Courtney M., et al. "Thoracic Incisions." (Chapter...
55). In Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 2001.
PERIODICALS
Blewett, C.J. et al. "Open Lung Biopsy as an Outpatient Procedure."Annals of Thoracic Surgery (April 2001): 1113-5.
Handy, John R., et al. "What Happens to Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery? Outcomes and Quality of Life Before and After Surgery."Chest 122, no.1 (August 14, 2002): 21-30.
Swanson, Scott J. and Hasan F. Batirel. "Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Resection for Lung Cancer."Surgical Clinics of North America 82, no.3 (June 1, 2002): 541-9.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Cancer Society. 1599 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4251. (800) 227-2345.
Society of Thoracic Surgeons. 663 N. Saint Clair St., Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611-3658. (312) 202-5800.
OTHER
"Detailed Guide: Lung Cancer."American Cancer Society. [cited April 28, 2003].
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Other Information
Thoracotomy is an incision into the chest. It is performed by a surgeon, and, rarely, by emergency physicians and paramedics, to gain access to the thoracic organs, most commonly the heart, the lungs, the esophagus or thoracic aorta, or for access to the anterior spine such as is necessary for access to tumors in the spine.
Thoracotomy is a major surgical maneuver—the first step in many thoracic surgeries including lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer—and as such requires general anesthesia with endotracheal tube insertion and mechanical ventilation.
Thoracotomies are thought to be one of the hardest surgical incisions to deal with post-op, because they are exquisitely painful and the pain can prevent the patient from breathing effectively, leading to atelectasis or pneumonia.
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