Thoracic Scars
Overview
- Scars on the chest can suggest past surgery, trauma, burns and healed skin conditions.
Common Thoracic Surgical Scars
- Sternotomy (midline)Most cardiac surgery, esp. CABG
- Anterior thoracotomy (submammary)Lung biopsy, pericardial surgery
- Posterolateral thoracotomy (axillary)Most non-cardiac thoracic procedures
- Clamshell (bilateral subpectoral)Lung transplantation
- Left subclavicularPacemaker insertion
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