A Simple and Effective Technique for Anatomical Approximation of the Upper Pericardium Using Hemostatic Clips

Abstract

Closure of the pericardium is important to protect bypass grafts, the great vessels, and the heart from injury due to sternal dehiscence. Furthermore, it is reported to reduce the formation of pericardial adhesions and thus facilitate entry into the chest at resternotomy. We here describe a simple, reproducible, and effective technique for tension-free approximation of the upper pericardium by applying small hemostatic clips to the preserved thymic fascia overlying the pericardium.