Minimal thoracoabdominal incision for treatment of thoracoabdominal injuries: a report of 34 cases

Objective: To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of minimal thoracoabdominal incision without disconnecting the costal arch and the traditional incision in treatment of thoracoabdominal injuries. Methods: The operation time,hospital stay,out-of-bed time and postoperative complications between 34 cases treated by thoracoabdominal incision without disconnecting the costal arch (test group) and 26 cases by traditional incision (control group) were compared and analyzed. Results: The operation time,hospital stay,out-of-bed time of the test group were obviously less than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The postoperative complications of the test group were less than the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The minimal thoracoabdominal incision without disconnecting the costal arch is superior to the traditional incision in treatment of thoracoabdominal injuries,which is advantageous to the recovery and rehabilitation of the patients.