title: Reversed-J inferior sternotomy for awake coronary bypass.
abstract: Many approaches for minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery are available and to further decrease the invasiveness, coronary artery bypass grafting has been performed under high thoracic epidural anesthesia without endotracheal intubation in the last years. Less invasive approach to coronary artery bypass graft operations is possible through combination of the high thoracic epidural anesthesia and a reversed-J sternotomy, and coronary revascularization can be accomplished without any additional technical difficulties and with a good exposure of both the left anterior descending artery and the left internal thoracic artery. This technique is less traumatic for patients and provides practical better oxygenation and shorter hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Koşuyolu Heart and Research Hospital, 34718 Kadiköy, Istanbul, Turkey. imkkirali@yahoo.com <imkkirali@yahoo.com>
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kirali
authors.forename: Nihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kayalar
authors.forename: Tuncer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Cevat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yakut
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome