The lateral limited thoracotomy incision: standard for pulmonary operations

Four hundred sixty-eight consecutive thoracotomies for which the lateral limited thoracotomy incision was used are reviewed (1978 to 1988). The limited incision is a lateral muscle-splitting incision with preservation of the latissimus dorsi, splitting of the serratus anterior, and cutting of only the intercostal muscles without rib resection. Patients were designated unsuitable for operation if (1) biopsy-proved distant metastasis existed, (2) mediastinoscopy revealed extranodal metastasis, or (3) severe respiratory compromise resulted in shortness of breath at rest with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second of less than 0.75 L (four patients). Mean patient age was 60.9 (+/- 15.7) years. Surgical procedures included lobectomy (n = 317), pneumonectomy (n = 41), wedge resection (n = 82), resections of blebs or bullae (n = 17), thoracotomy and biopsy for unresectable lesion (n = 6), and decortication (n = 5). Pathologic analysis revealed 354 malignant tumors, 102 benign lesions, and 12 carcinoids. The perioperative mortality rate was 0.85% (4/468) and major morbidity was present in 2.9% (14/468). Mean operative time was 73.1 (+/- 32.2) minutes with a blood loss resulting in a mean decrease of the hematocrit value of 2.6 (+/- 2.5) gm; three patients were given a total of 7 units of blood. Most patients do not require a stay in the intensive care unit postoperatively (less than 10%). Hospital stay postoperatively was a mean of 6.1 (+/- 2.9 days. The limited incision is a significant factor in decreasing operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain and morbidity, and cost.