Abstract
The median sternotomy (sternal split) approach to the heart and great vessels was initially described by Milton in 1897 1 Milton H Mediastinal surgery. Lancet. 1897; 1: 872-875 Abstract Scopus (63) Google Scholar , 2 Dalton M.L Connally S.R Collective review Median sternotomy. Surgery Gyn Obs. 1993; 176: 615-624 Google Scholar and popularized by Julian and coworkers in 1957. 3 Dalton M.L Connally S.R Sealy W.C Julian’s reintroduction of Milton’s operation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1992; 53: 532-533 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (48) Google Scholar This approach replaced the tedious, morbidity-prone bilateral anterior thoracotomy technique and demonstrated that the median sternotomy approach provided the same convenient access to the cardiac structures. Presently, over 700,000 open-heart operations are performed annually in the United States utilizing this standard full median sternotomy approach. A small but increasing number of partial sternotomy approaches are being performed, especially for aortic and mitral valve procedures. 4 Mack M.J Principles of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery. Quality Medical Publishing, St. Louis, MO1999: 32 Google Scholar
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
