title: Limited vertical skin incision for median sternotomy.
abstract: The cosmetic deformity of the vertical skin incision for median sternotomy was decreased by using a mechanical traction system to increase exposure at the superior margin of a shorter wound. The limited vertical skin incision did not impede technical surgical maneuvers and produced a scar that was more acceptable than submammary incision or right anterior thoracotomy. The limited skin incision is especially useful in young women with congenital heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tatebe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyamura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Date
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*