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Infant open heart surgery

URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/patientimages/000263.htm

Infant open heart surgery

Overview

During open-heart surgery an incision is made through the breastbone (sternum) while the child is under general anesthesia.

Review Date 1/17/2025

Updated by: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.