Overview
During open-heart surgery an incision is made through the breastbone (sternum) while the child is under general anesthesia.
Review Date 1/15/2021
Updated by: Scott I. Aydin, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ichan School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine, Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.