Thoracotomy

Submitted To:
Faisal Ayyub sb
Submitted By:
M. Saleem #19 (Ly)
M.Saqlain #07(Ly)
Sadam #09(Ly)
DVM 8th semester(EVENING)
2012-17
FVS,BZU Multan

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 Thoracotomy
 Definition
The surgical opening of the chest cavity.
 Purpose
 in order to access a patient's lungs, heart, aorta, trachea or
diaphragm. The incision, typically between 4 and 10 inches in length,
can be made on either side of the chest.

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 Types Of Thoracotomy
 Limited anterior or lateral thoracotomy
incision between ribs on the front or side of chest.
 Posterolateral thoracotomy
incision across the side and around the back of
chest.
 Sternal splitting thoracotomy
incision down the front of chest and through
sternum (breastbone).
 

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 Procedure
Three basic approaches are used.
 Limited anterior or lateral thoracotomy:
 A 6- to 8-cm intercostal incision is made to approach the anterior structures. It is a smaller
incision and allows access to the structures and organs in the front of chest cavity.
 Posterolateral thoracotomy:
approach gives access to pleurae, hilum, mediastinum, and the entire lung.  It is a larger incision
that allows access to more of chest, including an entire lung
 Sternal splitting incision (median sternotomy):
When access to both lungs is desired, as in lung volume reduction surgery, a sternal splitting
incision is used. It allows access to your entire chest, including both lungs and heart.

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Instruments Required
•  Satinsky cardiovascular clamps
•  forceps
• Retractors
• Scalper blades
• Cotton swabs
• Suturing needle with thread
• Antiseptic soln.

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Recumbence
  Dorsal Recumbency
For a median sternotomy
 Lateral Recumbency
for intercostal thoracotomy

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Muscle Supply

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 Anatomy
 Trapezius muscle
 Tares muscles
 Rhomboid major
 Letismous dorsii
 Masseter
 Sternocephalic
 Deltoid muscle
 External Abdominal oblique
 Internal abdominal oblique
 Deep pectoral
 Sartorial

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 Nerve supply
 Thoracic nerves T1-T13
 Ulnar nerve
 Radius nerve
 Axillary nerve

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 Blood supply
 Cranial and caudal epigastric arteries

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 complications
 Pneumothorax
 Infection
 Bleeding
 Respiratory failure

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 Post Operative Care

 Antibiotic Therapy
 Routine basis look after cleaning
 Anti-inflammatory

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 Indications
In case of
 Trauma
 Pneumothorax
 Haemothorax
 Cardiac problem
 Any wound in chest cavity
 Haemhhrage etc.

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