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A Technique Facilitating Muscle-Sparing Thoracotomy

Yiit Akçali, MD, Hasan Demir, MD, Bekir Tezcan, MD

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Erciyes University Medical Faculty Kayseri, Turkey
Yig it Akçali, MD Tel: 90 352 437 3511 Fax: 90 352 437 5285 email: yigit.akcali{at}isbank.net.tr Mustafa Kemal Paa Bulvari, No. 131/20, Kayseri 38090, Turkey.

The muscle-sparing thoracotomy technique preserves the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscles and provides excellent exposure for most thoracic and mediastinal operations. It also reduces postoperative pain and complications, and preserves pulmonary function. The technique has been developed further to facilitate subcutaneous dissection by insufflation of air from a syringe connected to a large-bore needle via a 3-way tap.