THORACOTOMY

Course overview

THORACOTOMY IS DESCRIBED AS AN INCISION MADE BETWEEN THE RIBS TO ACCESS THE CONTENTS OF THE THORACIC CAVITY. DUE TO THE ANATOMIC LOCATION OF THE CONTENTS WITHIN THE THORAX DIFFERENT COMMONLY UTILIZED THORACOTOMY INCISIONS EXIST AND ARE USED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE VARIOUS TYPES OF THORACOTOMY INCISIONS AND SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE MOST APPROPRIATE TO FACILITATE BETTER INTERPROFESSIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THORACOTOMY INCISION CHOICE AND POSTOPERATIVE CARE.