title: Vertical muscle-sparing thoracotomy.
abstract: In our armamentarium of various thoracic incisions, we have incorporated a vertical skin incision with a muscle-sparing approach to gain access to the thorax. We find this incision gives excellent exposure, preserves function of the chest wall musculature, and leaves a cosmetically superior result.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hennington
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ulicny
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Detterbeck
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013909:Thorax