High-Risk Reoperative Sternotomy-How We Do It, How We Teach It.

With the increasing number of congenital heart disease patients living into adulthood and requiring reoperations, learning a safe and efficient reoperative sternotomy is essential. This article provides insight into the successful reoperative sternotomy, including preoperative evaluation, assessing risk for cardiac injury and preparations to take depending on the level of risk, safeguards taken before and during the sternotomy, and pearls and pitfalls in managing untoward events.