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An incision may be made through the breastbone (sternum) and between the lungs (mediastinum) while the child is deep asleep and pain-free (under general anesthesia). For some heart defect repairs, the incision is made on the side of the chest, between the ribs (thoracotomy) instead of through the breastbone. Heart lung bypass is used to support the child during the procedure. Tubes are used to re-route the blood through a special pump that adds oxygen to the blood and keeps it warm and moving through the rest of the body while the repair is being done.
Review Date 2/3/2025
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 C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
