Pericardial meshing: a new technique to facilitate primary tension-free pericardial closure.
A method is described to facilitate pericardial approximation at the conclusion of open-heart surgical procedures. Before sternal closure, the anterior pericardium is meshed by multiple longitudinal incisions until tension-free closure is possible. The technique was developed by animal experimentation and is now being performed in patients. It has proven to be simple, safe, and effective.
D000818:Animals; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation