Guidelines for safely opening a previous sternotomy incision
Culliford, A.T.; Spencer, F.C.
Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 78(4): 633-638
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5223 PMID: 384093 Document Number: 151933
Cardiac surgical procedures requiring operations through a previous sternotomy incision are associated with significant hazards, including cardiac injury, excessive hemorrhage during and after cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative sternal instability. A technique for safely opening previous sternotomy incisions was developed at New York University Medical Center which has proved satisfactory in over 150 patients. It was demonstrated repeatedly to be free of the serious and often lethal intraoperative and postoperative complications previously associated with this procedure.