Full sternotomy through a minimally invasive incision: A cardiac surgeon's true comfort zone

Increasing attention is being paid by cardiac surgeons to performing cardiac surgical procedures through less invasive approaches, including the use of limited incisions. A limited incisional approach is described that achieves full sternotomy, allows the use of standard operative instruments and techniques, permits rapid, easy conversion to normal sternotomy exposure, and is easy to learn. (Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:1429-30) (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.