Thoracoscopic rib resection using a Gigli saw.

Abstract

When a conventional approach is used to perform a rib resection, a skin incision longer than the rib to be resected must be made. As a result, a conventional rib resection leaves a rather large and esthetically unfavorable scar. After considering pain management, esthetics, and quality of life, we devised a new technique for thoracoscopic rib resection that uses a Gigli saw. This new technique was performed on an overweight woman with a solitary metastatic bone tumor of the right eighth rib, whose case is described herein. The patient's postoperative course was satisfactory. Since this technique does not require a long skin incision, pain management and aesthetic results are improved compared with conventional techniques.