What is a thorachotomy?

Answer 1

A thoracotomy is a surgical procedure to gain access to the organs in the chest cavity: the lungs, heart, and esophagus, In lay terms it is known as 'cracking the chest' because it involves separating the ribs or cutting through the mediastinum.

Answer 2

Opening of the chest cavity for an operation is called Thoracotomy

Answer 3

Removal of ribs to collapse a diseased lung.

Answer 4

surgical opening in the wall of the chest