Abstract
The thoracoabdominal incision is not a common incision in colonic surgery. However, it may be of unique benefit in tumors of the splenic flexure in which adequate mobilization and adequate lateral resection margins may otherwise be difficult to achieve. These tumors are believed to carry a poorer prognosis in part because of reduced accessibility. Specifically, exposure in short, obese patients with locally advanced lesions may be improved significantly with a thoracoabdominal incision. This report presents a patient with a tumor of the splenic flexure invading the diaphragm, greater curvature of the stomach, splenic hilum, and tail of the pancreas. The exposure provided by this incision made a radical cancer operation possible, which would not have been possible with an abdominal incision.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Steffen C, Bokey EL, Chapuis PH. Carcinoma of the splenic flexure. Dis Colon Rectum 1987;30:872–4.
Aldridge MC, Phillips RK, Hittinger R, Fry JS, Fielding LP. Influence of tumor site on presentation, management and subsequent outcome in large bowel cancer. Br J Surg 1986;73:663–70.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Walfisch, S., Stern, H. Use of thoracoabdominal incision for cancer of the splenic flexure in the obese patient. Dis Colon Rectum 32, 169–170 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553834
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553834