clamshell incision

clamshell incision

incision made up of bilateral submammary anterior thoracotomies connected by a transverse sternotomy and providing access similar to that of a standard sternotomy.
See also: transverse thoracosternotomy. Synonym(s): clamshell thoracotomy

clam·shell in·ci·sion

, clamshell thoracotomy (klam'shel in-sizh'ŭn, thōr-ă-kot'ŏ-mē) Incision made up of bilateral submammary anterior thoracotomies connected by a transverse sternotomy and providing access similar to that of a standard sternotomy.
See also: transverse thoracosternotomy