Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2020 Apr;37(2):133-135. 10.12701/yujm.2019.00381.

Rectus abdominis muscle atrophy after thoracotomy

• Lee JH
• Lee SS

• KMID: 2501421
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2019.00381

Abstract

Intercostal nerve injury is known to occur during thoracotomy; however, rectus abdominis muscle atrophy has rarely been reported. We describe a 52-year-old man who underwent primary closure of esophageal perforation and lung decortication via left thoracotomy. He was discharged 40 days postoperatively without any complications. He noticed an abdominal bulge 2 months later, and computed tomography revealed left rectus abdominis muscle atrophy. We report thoracotomy induced denervation causing rectus abdominis muscle atrophy.

Keyword

Intercostal nerves; Muscle denervation; Muscular atrophy; Rectus abdominis; Thoracotomy

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Photograph of the left rectus abdominis muscle atrophy. The left lateral abdominal wall bulging is present (arrow).

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  Fig. 2. (A) Preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan shows normal symmetric rectus abdominis. (B) Follow-up CT scan reveals a flattening of the left side rectus abdominis (arrow).

Reference

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