Thoracic Key

History Transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) has been gaining popularity for the past two and a half decades. In 1978 Orringer and Sloan renewed interest in this procedure, presenting it as an…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ The thoracic esophagus courses through the posterior aspect of the middle mediastinum. In most patients the esophagus lies in the midline; however, slight deviation to…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Solid working knowledge of the anatomy of the chest, in particular the hilar relationships of the left and right lung, is crucial. Other important structures…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ The thymus is a lymphoid organ located in the anterior mediastinum overlying the pericardium and great vessels. It is a bi-lobed, H -shaped lymphoid organ,…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Pectus excavatum, or funnel chest, is the most common of all congenital chest wall deformities. It is defined as the posterior depression of the inferior…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ An understanding of the chest wall anatomy is important to plan and execute a resection of the chest wall. The intercostal artery, vein, and nerve…

Sympathectomy is a surgical procedure where portions of the sympathetic nerve trunk are destroyed to treat diseases such as hyperhidrosis (HH), facial blushing, and Raynaud disease. Sympathectomy itself is a…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Bronchopleural fistulae are more common after a right pneumonectomy than after a left pneumonectomy because the right main bronchus extends into the pleural space, whereas…

Diaphragmatic eventration ( Box 19-1 ) is an anomaly that can be defined as a permanent elevation of part or of an entire hemidiaphragm without loss in the continuity in…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Understanding the anatomy of the thoracic cavity, particularly the lung, is important for the successful completion of a lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Figure 17-1…