Thoracotomy

A thoracotomy is a surgical method for opening the chest wall in order to access the lungs. Thoracotomy may also be used to gain access to other structures in the chest, such as the heart, large blood vessels, and esophagus.

Parts of the Body Involved

Chest, lungs, back

Reasons for Procedure

  • Confirm diagnosis of a lung or chest disease
  • Repair the heart or the vessels of the lung and the heart
  • Treat a lung abscess or complications due to emphysema
  • Remove a portion of the lung or the entire lung to treat lung cancer
  • Treat disorders of the esophagus
  • Reinflate lung tissue that has collapsed due to disease or trauma

Risk Factors for Complications during the Procedure

  • Major trauma
  • Severe chronic lung disease
  • Underlying chronic medical problems, such as:
    • Heart disease
    • Diabetes
    • Immunodeficiencies

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will likely do some or all of the following:
  • Physical exam
  • Blood and urine tests
    • Imaging tests of the chest, such as x-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan
    • Pulmonary function tests to assess the capacity of your lungs
The day before and the day of surgery:
  • Use an enema to clear your colon so that your abdomen does not become distended during surgery.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
  • Your doctor may recommend a sleeping pill so that you'll get adequate rest the night before the surgery.
  • Before going to the hospital, remove all jewelry, contact lenses, dentures, wigs, and nail polish.
During Procedure

Outcome

The outcome will depend on the reason for the procedure.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

  • Difficulty breathing
  • New pain in the chest
  • Stitches or staples come apart
  • Bandage becomes soaked with blood
  • Cough up mucus that is yellow, green, or bloody
  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision site
  • Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
  • Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine