REPEAT STERNOTOMY: AN IMPROVED SURGICAL TECHNIQUE.
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.
Norman
John C.
JC
Division of Surgery, Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke's Episcopal and Texas Children's Hospitals, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, 77025.