The term “Hanuman syndrome” is a colloquial term formediastinitis and other complications of a persistent open sternotomy following cardiothoracic surgery. We describe two interpretations of this term in the extant literature. Various complications can arise from open heart surgery, such as floridmediastinitis [1]. Floridmediastinitis causes delayed closure of the sternotomy incision made during surgery, and its management involves drainage, irrigation, anddelayeddebridement [2]. Goals formanagement of a patient with an open sternotomy include prevention of contamination of the sterile field, management of infection if it is present, minimization of additional bacterial colonization, and prevention of additional complications, primarily hemorrhage from the heart [2]. Management of a coagulopathy and accommodation of temporary cardiac assist devices also cause delayed closure of the sternotomy [2]. The term “Hanuman syndrome” alludes to Hanuman, an anthropomorphic monkey who has a prominent role in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The Ramayana describes the life of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. An iconic scene in the Ramayana involves Hanuman tearing open his chest to reveal the images of Rama and Rama's wife, Sita, displayed on his heart. Some renditions of this scene show Hanuman's heart displaying only the image of Rama, those of Rama and his brother Lakshmana, or the name “Rama,” but this act is interpreted as a demonstration of Hanuman's loyalty to Rama nevertheless [3]. The visual similarity between an open sternotomy following cardiothoracic surgery and the visceral consequence of Hanuman's act of devotion inspired the term “Hanuman syndrome”. This term was likely first employed among Indian healthcare professionals who were familiar with the aforementioned scene in the Ramayana. Wenote two interpretations of the term “Hanuman syndrome” in the extant literature. Robicsek [1] and Ivert and colleagues [4] contend that this term indicates open mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. However, Robicsek and Fokin [2] state that this term indicates an open sternotomy with an exposed heart, and do not specify mediastinitis as a necessary componentof the definition ofHanuman syndrome. The latter interpretation implies that the term entails other complications of an opensternotomy, suchas sternaldehiscenceandventricularwall rupture [5]. We conclude that a religious tradition can influence medical terminology in localities where that tradition is prominent. The term “Hanuman syndrome” signifies the persistence of Hindu polytheism in India. Surgeons who travel to India to work in the field of cardiothoracic surgery might encounter the term “Hanuman syndrome” at hospitals. We advise that surgeons do not view this term as referring exclusively to mediastinitis secondary to delayed closure of an open sternotomy following cardiothoracic surgery, as literature published in the 2000's presents a broader definition of Hanuman syndrome compared to literature published in the 1990's.