title: Modified pericardial closure to protect cardiovascular structures during sternal reentry.
abstract: A technique is described for covering the anterior surface of the heart and bypass grafts with autologous pericardium after myocardial revascularization. A trapezoidal flap is created that incorporates bilateral relaxing incisions to avoid distortion of grafts or increased risk of pericardial tamponade.
authors.affiliation: San Francisco Heart Institute, Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 94015.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zapolanski
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Bronstein
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ellertson
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siegel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*