Lower mid-line skin incision and minimal sternotomy—a more cosmetic challenge for pediatric cardiac surgery

Abstract

AbstractWe performed ten operations in children using a lower mid-line incision and limited minimal sternotomy. The skin incision is made from the level of nipples to the lower end of the xiphoid process, and only the body of the sternum is cut vertically. There was neither operative mortality nor complications. The upper limit of the scar was, at the most, 1 cm beyond the level of the nipples, and was difficult to observe in typical open-necked shirts. We believe our method is suitable in fulfilling the cosmetic needs for eligible children.