1. After prepping and draping of the left chest a posterolateral thoracotomy is performed. 2. The surgery is completed by closure of the left thoracotomy wound in layers. 3. Access is gained through a left lateral thoracotomy incision below the sixth rib. 4. Hence, larger biopsies obtained surgically via a thoracotomy or thoracoscopy are usually necessary. 5. These " extra-anatomic bypasses " can be performed without an invasive thoracotomy . 6. Initially ICDs were implanted via thoracotomy with defibrillator patches applied to the epicardium or pericardium. 7. Modern ICDs do not require a thoracotomy and possess pacing, cardioversion, and defibrillation capabilities. 8. Reported the value of immediate emergency room thoracotomy in a patient group of fatally penetrating trauma. 9. Cutler published papers extensively throughout his career about thyroidectomy, thoracotomy , cardiotomy, and mitral valvulotomy. 10. There is wide consensus that thoracotomy is one of the most painful incisions that patients can undergo.
