What is the primary goal of thoracosplasty?

The primary goal of thoracosplasty is to repair and reconstruct the chest wall. This surgical procedure is often performed in cases where there is significant damage to the chest wall, such as in patients with lung disease or severe trauma. Thoracosplasty involves the removal of damaged or diseased portions of the pleura (the lining of the lung) along with reconstructive efforts to restore the normal contour and function of the chest wall.

By focusing on the structural integrity of the chest wall, thoracosplasty can help improve respiratory function and reduce pain associated with thoracic conditions. In contrast, options that focus on actions like draining pleural effusion, inserting a chest tube, or removing infected lung tissue do not capture the primary reconstructive intent of thoracosplasty, which centers around chest wall repair. Such procedures might be necessary in different contexts or with separate surgical indications but are not the main goal of thoracosplasty itself.