Abstract

MORALES VALDES, Rodolfo E.; LOPEZ DE LA CRUZ, Yoandy; ROMERO SANCHEZ, Ramón E.  and  MORALES MATO, Rodolfo. The (un)known history of thoracic incisions. Part I: From “Divine surgery” to the first efforts to access the pericardial cavity. CorSalud [online]. 2021, vol.13, n.1, pp. 59-67.  Epub Mar 01, 2021. ISSN 2078-7170.

Throughout the history of surgery many inaccuracies have surrounded the chapter related to the emergence of thoracic incisions. It will always be very difficult to determine the exact date and names of those who actually performed the first thoracotomies; obviously those who published or reported the first descriptions should be assumed as such, but the history has not always been well told. In some cases, only surnames are known; in some others, the inconsistency of time lapses opposes all logic. A thorough historical research has been carried out, which has made it possible to compile a brief account about the emergence of the most important thoracotomies, as well as to reveal some findings that are unknown to most thoracic surgeons. This is the first part of a brief account about the known facts, but also, it is especially about the unknown history of the thoracic incisions’ origin, which has overcome the test of time.

Keywords : History of medicine; Thoracotomy; Abscess; Lung; Pleural effusion; Pericardium.

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