A cosmetically acceptable incision for the median sternotomy.
The median sternotomy incision has become the routine approach for most cardiac surgical procedures. This generally gives a poor cosmetic result. In certain patients, particularly those who are asymptomatic and undergoing short, low-risk procedures, cosmetic considerations are of relatively greater importance. We describe a transverse skin incision which gives adequate exposure for the median sternotomy. It has been used successfully in 40 female patients. This technique provides a cosmetically acceptable incision for the median sternotomy approach.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing