The Rumel technique for lateral thoracotomy closure

The closure of the commonly used lateral thoracotomy incision usually inclu des pericostal sutures which encircle the ribs. Risks of these pericostal s utures include the injury and/or the entrapment of the intercostal neurovas cular bundle located along the inferior underedge of each rib. The simple a daptation of the Rumel tourniquet technique is described as an aid for the primary closure of a lateral thoracotomy which may avoid some of the potent ial complications inherent to thoracotomy incisions.