Thoracotomies is a medical term used to describe a surgical procedure where an incision is made in the chest to access the organs inside. The word is spelled with three syllables: /θɔːrəˈkɒtəmiz/. The first syllable, "thoraco," is pronounced as /θɔːrəkəʊ/, and refers to the chest. The second syllable, "to," is pronounced as /tə/ and acts as a connector between "thoraco" and "mies," which is pronounced as /miz/. "Mies" refers to multiple instances of the procedure. The complete word can be challenging to spell and pronounce for those unfamiliar with medical terminology.
Thoracotomies are surgical procedures that involve the opening of the chest cavity by making an incision between the ribs. It is performed to gain access to the organs within the thoracic cavity, such as the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels.
During a thoracotomy, the surgeon carefully separates the muscles and tissues covering the chest wall and proceeds with the incision, usually following a specific intercostal space. Once the chest cavity is exposed, the surgeon can access and operate on the targeted organs or blood vessels.
Thoracotomies are highly specialized procedures typically performed by thoracic surgeons skilled in managing conditions affecting the thoracic region. They are commonly employed in a variety of surgical interventions, including lung resections, coronary artery bypass surgeries, repair of heart defects, removal of tumors, treatment of traumatic injuries, or to address conditions like lung infections or collapsed lungs.
Due to the invasive nature of the surgery, thoracotomies require general anesthesia and extensive post-operative care. Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure performed and the patient's overall health. Potential risks and complications associated with thoracotomies include infection, bleeding, lung complications, nerve damage, and scarring.
In summary, thoracotomies are invasive surgical procedures that involve opening the chest cavity through an incision between the ribs. They allow access to the organs and blood vessels within the thoracic region and are commonly performed in various thoracic surgeries.
The word "thoracotomies" is derived from two root words: "thoraco" and "tomies".
1. "Thoraco" comes from the Greek word "thōrāx" which means "chest" or "breastplate". It is often used in medical terminology related to the chest or thoracic region.
2. "Tomies" comes from the Greek word "tomē" which means "cutting" or "incision". It is commonly used as a suffix in medical terminology to indicate a surgical procedure involving cutting or incision.
Combining these roots, "thoracotomies" refers to surgical procedures involving an incision or opening made into the chest or thoracic region.