A 47-year-old member asked:
which incision is used in open heart surgery?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Louis Grenzer answered
Cardiology 55 years experience
Depends: Traditionally, this involved an incision throught the length of the sternum(breastbone). Newer techniques can be used, robotic bypass surgery, which use several smaller incisions. The cost is about $8, 000 more but this also results in a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery, and perhaps better overall results.
6104 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Brian Mott answered
Thoracic Surgery 29 years experience
Midline sternotomy: A midline sternotomy is the most common incision used in heart surgery. There are a few variations on this incision that people claim are minimally invasive.
5448 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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