thoracotomy

[ thawr-uh-kot-uh-mee, thohr- ]

noun

, Surgery.

, plural tho·ra·cot·o·mies.

1. incision into the chest cavity.

thoracotomy

/ ˌθɔːrəˈkɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the chest wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of thoracotomy¹

First recorded in 1855–60; thoraco- + -tomy

Example Sentences

He and a team of medics performed a thoracotomy, opening up her chest and ribs like a clamshell.

From Washington Post

He and a team of medics performed an emergency thoracotomy, opening up her chest and ribs like a clamshell.

From Seattle Times

“He was in surgery for four hours and it was one of the most complicated surgeries I have ever seen,” Mapplebeck said of the thoracotomy.

From Fox News

After the operation, he suffered from thoracotomy syndrome “where it feels like your nerves are on fire inside of you, they won’t meld together. It’s just horrible.”

From The Guardian

According to Dr. Drew McRoberts, the trauma director at PMC, an emergency department thoracotomy is performed in life and death situations.

From Washington Times