thoracoplasty

Indications

• treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (obsolete)
• volume reduction of the pleural space
  • post lung-resection space problems
  • thoracic empyema
• scoliosis

Procedure

• removal of some portions of the ribs
• this changes the configuration of the chest wall
• performed alone or with muscle flaps or with omental flap

More general terms

• cardiothoracic surgery