Left posterolateral thoracotomy

Abstract

The exposure described here serves as a general purpose approach to the thoracic oesophagus from the aortic arch to the oesophageal hiatus from the left side. The intercostal incision, however, is made high enough to provide access to the retroaortic and upper thoracic oesophagus if this should be required for mobilization or other reasons. The commonest indications for this approach include the transthoracic correction of gastro-oesophageal reflux, longitudinal oesophageal myotomy for motility disorders, repair of oesophageal perforations or ruptures, excision of oesophageal cysts and duplications and the exploration or resection of oesophageal tumours by oesophagogastrectomy.