thoracotomy
noun
tho·ra·cot·o·my ˌthȯr-ə-ˈkä-tə-mē 
plural thoracotomies
: surgical incision of the chest wall
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Reduction of patients having lung surgery requiring a thoracotomy to around 50 percent versus a nationwide percentage of around 90 percent. 
Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, 24 Apr. 2018
Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, 24 Apr. 2018 Word History
Etymology
Latin thorac-, thorax + International Scientific Vocabulary -tomy
First Known Use
circa 1857, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
thoracotomy
noun
tho·ra·cot·o·my ˌthōr-ə-ˈkät-ə-mē, ˌthȯr-
plural thoracotomies
: surgical incision of the chest wall