Pitfalls and safety measures for difficult thoracotomy in a patient of severe kyphoscoliosis associated with chest wall deformity: A case report

Abstract

Studies have been done extensively, about the difficulties of giving anaesthesia and endo-tracheal intubation, in patients with severe kyphoscoliosis, due to distortion of the airway anatomy. However, there is a little or no information about difficulties in doing thoracotomy, in such patients with distorted chest wall. We would like to report a case of severe kyphoscoliosis with deformed chest wall, who underwent thoracotomy for recurrent pneumothorax due to ruptured multiple bullae. The pitfalls and safety measures to be taken, have been explained.