Muscle-Sparing Thoracotomy: A Systematic Literature Review and the “AVE” Classification

Background: To synthesize the concept of muscle-sparing thoracotomies for major pulmonary resections and to explore the relationship between Kraissl's lines and skin incisions perpendicular to them. Methods: Systematic literature review was performed of MEDLINE database. Articles were selected if they described adult patients undergoing major pulmonary resection by way of a well described thoracotomy that neither partially nor completely transects outer thoracic muscles, and that is independent of endoscopic instruments, and video technology. Median sternotomy was excluded.