title: Versatility of a mini-trapdoor incision in upper mediastinal exposure.
abstract: Exposure of the upper mediastinum and thoracic outlet can pose major surgical challenges. We report our application of a previously described mini-trapdoor incision to a variety of surgical problems involving the upper mediastinum and thoracic outlet, including subclavian vein thrombosis, penetrating subclavian artery injury, debridement of subjacent chest wall infection, lymph node excision, and Pancoast tumor resection. This versatile approach provides excellent structural visualization while obviating clavicular resection or sternoclavicular joint disruption, or both.
authors.affiliation: David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Taryne A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Van Natta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult