Thoracoplasty an obsolete or Still useful Procedure

Abstract

Out of over 2000 thorocotomies done over a 7 years period at Cardiothoracic unit LRH, 21 thoracoplasties were done. Of these 12 were full and 9 partial. The main indications were insufficient/destroyed lung tissue with or without hemoptyses or / and with / without infected spaces. There was no mortality. only 3 patients had residual spaces. We conclude that in a very select group of patients with the aforementioned problems, thoracoplasty still has a role to play.