transthoracotomy

trans·tho·ra·cot·o·my

(trans'thōr-ă-kot'ŏ-mē), A surgical procedure carried out through an incision in the chest wall. [trans- + thorax + G. tomē, incision]

transthoracotomy

(trăns″thō-ră-kŏt′ō-mē) [″ + Gr. thorax, chest, + tome, incision] The operation of incising across the thorax.