Hi. I was diagnosed with pneumothorax and I will have thoracotomy soon. It`s a surgical incision into the chest. That means I will have an ugly scar on my chest. What to do? Is there a way to avoid thoracotomy scar?
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Hi. I was diagnosed with recurrent pneumothorax too, and I was treated with pleurectomy, without chest wall muscle transaction. The advantages of this, over a thoracotomy, are shorter postoperative recovery and my scar is more cosmetically acceptable. It`s really a simple procedure, and, the best of all, this limited thoracotomy can be converted into full, if necessary. Also, after the thoracotomy you will experience pain. This pain recurs along a scar, two month after surgery.
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You can always talk to your doctor and tell him your concerns. Although in this case scar isn’t that important but your health is I can understand why you are so worried.
As rykowski mentioned above there is other possibility. Ask your doctor about pleurectomy and let him know that this is the procedure you would prefer. First of all mention that you have heard that recovery period after pleurectomy is much shorter and that scar is more acceptable and that you are planning some cosmetic surgery after this.
Also tell him that you are afraid of the pain which you will be feeling few months after regular thoracotomy. If your doctor insists that you do the regular thoracotomy you can ask for second opinion.
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