Could heart bypass surgery require cracking the chest open?

Heart bypass surgery: Yes,heart bypass surgery does require that the surgeon 'crack the chest open',so that he may be able to work on the heart vessels whih are unaccesible otherwise

Yes: Still the standard way of performing a coronary bypass procedure.

CABG: There are forms of CABG which require only a small incision rather than a full sternly splitting operation. All cases are not appropriate for minimal techniques.

Sternal incision: The sternum- breast bone is cut with a special saw and wired back together at completion and heals well in general. Done for most congenital, valvular and coronary operations for great exposure and safety and avoids other incisions in chest or groin!