The Korean journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Aug 2012
Comparative analysis of thoracotomy and sternotomy approaches in cardiac reoperation.
Reoperation of cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be associated with significant complications. Thoracotomy is expected to reduce the risk of reoperation and to enhance the surgical outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed two operative approaches (thoracotomy vs. sternotomy) in cardiac reoperation. ⋯ The thoracotomy approach is superior to sternotomy in some variables, and it is considered as a valid alternative to repeat median sternotomy in patients who underwent a previous median sternotomy.