title: Open thoracotomy for pneumothorax.
abstract: A thoracotomy is an incision into the pleural space of the chest. It is performed by surgeons (or emergency physicians under certain circumstances) to gain access to the thoracic organs, most commonly the heart, the lungs, or the esophagus, or for access to the thoracic aorta or the anterior spine. This surgical procedure is a major surgical maneuver it is the first step in many thoracic surgeries including lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer and as such requires general anesthesia with endotracheal tube insertion and mechanical ventilation, rigid bronchoscope can be also used if necessary. Thoracotomies are thought to be one of the most difficult surgical incisions to deal with post-operatively, because they are extremely painful and the pain can prevent the patient from breathing effectively, leading to atelectasis or pneumonia. In the current review we will present the steps of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barbetakis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazaridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mpoukovinas
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karavasilis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kioumis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pitsiou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaiwannou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsikogiannis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mpakas
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Kosmas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsakiridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lampaki
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karavergou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kipourou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lada
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department (NHS), University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
keywords: Pneumothorax; surgery; thoracotomy