title: REPEAT STERNOTOMY: AN IMPROVED SURGICAL TECHNIQUE.
abstract: An improved method of opening the sternum for intracardiac or extracardiac procedures following one or more previous midline sternotomies is described. In our institution, the Stryker(R) pneumatically-driven(*) Sagittal Saw with right-angled blade is used. During the past two years, approximately 75 repeat sternotomies have been performed, and in no instance has a cardiac chamber or great vessel been injured.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke's Episcopal and Texas Children's Hospitals, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, 77025.
authors.forename: John C.
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Norman