THORACOTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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Thoracotomy is a medical procedure that involves making an incision into the chest wall, allowing access to the organs within the thoracic cavity. The term is derived from the Greek words "thorax," meaning chest, and "tomos," meaning cut.
A thoracotomy is typically performed by a surgeon and is used to access and treat various conditions affecting the thoracic area. It is commonly employed in cases of lung cancer, lung infections, trauma to the chest, and diseases of the heart or surrounding structures.
During a thoracotomy, the patient is placed under general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and do not feel pain. The surgeon then makes an incision in the chest wall, providing a direct view and access to the underlying structures. This incision can vary in size and location, depending on the specific purpose of the procedure. Once the initial incision is made, the surgeon may employ additional tools such as retractors to spread open the chest wall and gain better access.
Thoracotomy allows the surgeon to visually inspect the organs, take tissue samples, remove tumors, repair damaged structures, or perform other necessary procedures. After completing the necessary interventions, the chest wall is closed with sutures or staples, and the incision is typically covered with dressings to aid in the healing process.
Recovery from a thoracotomy can vary depending on the specific procedure performed and the individual patient. Post-operative care may involve pain management, respiratory support, and physical therapy to aid in the restoration of normal lung and chest wall function.
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Any cutting operation upon the chest wall.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for THORACOTOMY
- rhoracotomy
- fhoracotomy
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- thodacotomy
Etymology of THORACOTOMY
The word "thoracotomy" is derived from two Greek roots: "thorax" and "tomia".
The term "thorax" (θώραξ) originally meant "breastplate" or "chest", and it later came to refer to the upper part of the trunk, including the chest cavity. In medical terminology, it specifically refers to the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen, containing the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other vital organs.
The suffix "-tomy" comes from the Greek word "tomia" (τομή), which means "cutting". It is used in medical terminology to indicate a surgical operation involving incision or cutting.
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