thoracoplasty

noun, plural tho·ra·co·plas·ties. Surgery.

1. the operation removing selected portions of the ribs to collapse part of the underlying lung or an abnormal pleural space, usually in the treatment of tuberculosis.

noun plural -ties

1. plastic surgery of the thorax
2. surgical removal of several ribs or a part of them to permit the collapse of a diseased lung, used in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis

n.

1. Reparative or plastic surgery performed on the thorax.
2. Conventional thoracoplasty.