The left thoracoabdominal incision.
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.
Heitmiller
R F
RF
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
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