title: Aortic Hemiarch Replacement through a J-Shaped Lower Partial Sternotomy.
abstract: Minimally invasive cardiac surgical techniques include the use of partial sternotomy for aortic valve and mitral valve replacement. Partial sternotomy is associated with less pain, better chest and upper-sternal stability, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. However, aortic arch operations are still typically performed through median sternotomies. We describe the case of a 77-year-old woman who underwent elective hemiarch replacement because of an asymptomatic ascending aortic aneurysm. She requested a minimal incision. Our J-shaped partial lower sternotomy adequately exposed the proximal aorta and enabled all cannulations to be performed through the sternotomy. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. We think that a partial sternotomy for ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement can be considered in selected patients for whom the procedure's benefits are important.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Waterford
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rastegar
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoynezhad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Aortic valve/surgery; cardiac surgical procedures/methods; minimally invasive surgical procedures/methods; postoperative complications/prevention & control; sternotomy/methods; thoracic surgical procedures/methods; treatment outcome