title: The left thoracoabdominal incision.
abstract: The left thoracoabdominal incision is approaching its first century of use. Its history is reviewed. The incision provides wide exposure of the spleen, stomach, left hemidiaphragm, aorta, and esophagus; exposure is not limited to the distal esophagus. Because of the superb exposure it offers, its wide clinical application, and its overall safety, the thoracoabdominal incision should continue to be a viable surgical option in current thoracic surgical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Heitmiller
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D005060:Europe; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States