title: Cosmetic benefits of lower midline skin incision for pediatric open heart operation. A review of 100 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since we developed the procedure in 1996, we have now performed 100 pediatric open heart operations using a lower midline skin incision and a minimal sternotomy approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To elucidate the benefits of this approach, we analyzed these 100 cases retrospectively. There was no death, and no major complication, caused by this approach, and the resulting scarring in each patient is difficult to be seen under a common undershirt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review shows that the technique of a lower midline skin incision and minimal sternotomy approach is a safe reliable and cosmetically advantageous method for a pediatric cardiac operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komai
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Yasuzo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noguchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery