The Rumel technique for lateral thoracotomy closure

The closure of the commonly used lateral thoracotomy incision usually includes pericostal sutures which encircle the ribs. Risks of these pericostal sutures include the injury and/or the entrapment of the intercostal neurovascular bundle located along the inferior underedge of each rib. The simple adaptation of the Rumel tourniquet technique is described as an aid for the primary closure of a lateral thoracotomy which may avoid some of the potential complications inherent to thoracotomy incisions.