Are hernias common after open-heart surgery?

Not often: Usually hernias do not occur often after heart surgery. One site where they may occur would be below the sternum or breast bone.

Uncommon : Hernia after cardiac operations can occur as a result of the drainage tubes placed. The tubes are large, an exit at the bottom of the breast bone. These types of hernias can become large, so if it is growing in size, see a general surgeon with experience doing laparoscopic repair of sub-xiphoid hernias.