Dissection of the rib in a flank incision is often tedious and difficu
lt. Entry into the pleural space and subcostal nerve injury are two fr
equent complications. in an effort to reduce the frequency of these co
mplications and to facilitate the ease of rib dissection and resection
, we describe a technique that uses a moistened surgical sponge to dis
sect free the posterior surface of the rib. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science
Inc.