Thoracotomy in the Patient with Dorsal Scoliosis

¹ Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of California Medical Center (San Francisco)

Twenty-four patients with dorsal scoliosis underwent 26 thoracotomies for various reasons. Two operative deaths (7.6 per cent) occurred, among ten patients in whom the convexity of scoliosis was directed away from the side of election. No mortality or significant complication was encountered when thoracotomy was performed on the side of scoliotic convexity.

We consider the concavity of scoliotic configuration to delineate the pleural cavity of major proportion and function. Difficulties in anesthetic and postoperative management may be encountered when the pleural cavity so designated is opened.

Two patients with severe deformity underwent pneumonectomy, and the most severely scoliotic patient underwent hiatal herniorrhaphy through the minor pleural cavity without complication.