What is a thoracotomy?

A thoracotomy is defined as a surgical incision made into the chest wall. This procedure allows access to the thoracic organs, particularly the lungs, heart, and great vessels. Thoracotomies are often performed to evaluate or treat various conditions, such as lung cancer, cardiac issues, or trauma to the chest. The precise nature of the incision enables surgeons to conduct further procedures within the thoracic cavity, making it a critical technique in thoracic surgery.

The other options describe different medical procedures unrelated to thoracotomy. Removing the tonsils pertains to a tonsillectomy, inserting a tube into the lungs is usually characterized as tube thoracostomy or chest tube insertion, and a type of heart surgery can refer to various cardiac procedures, such as bypass surgery or valve repair, distinctly separate from a thoracotomy. Each of these terms has its specific context and anatomy associated with them, which do not overlap with the definition of a thoracotomy.