What does thoracostomy involve?

Thoracostomy specifically involves the draining of the pleural space, which is the area between the lungs and the chest wall. This procedure is performed to relieve pressure from conditions such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or hemothorax. By inserting a tube into the pleural cavity, excess fluid or air can be removed, allowing the lungs to expand more fully and improving respiratory function.

The other options, while related to thoracic procedures, do not accurately describe thoracostomy. For instance, repairing the chest wall pertains to surgical interventions that might involve suturing or reinforcing the structure of the chest, which is not the focus of thoracostomy. Closing the thoracic cavity is not correct because thoracostomy entails creating an opening rather than closing a space. Inserting a pacemaker is applicable to cardiac procedures and is unrelated to the thoracic cavity or the pleural space. Thus, the choice that encapsulates the primary aim and execution of thoracostomy is the correct one.