A cosmetically acceptable incision for the median sternotomy.

The median sternotomy incision has become the routine approach for most cardiac surgical procedures. This generally gives a poor cosmetic result. In certain patients, particularly those who are asymptomatic and undergoing short, low-risk procedures, cosmetic considerations are of relatively greater importance. We describe a transverse skin incision which gives adequate exposure for the median sternotomy. It has been used successfully in 40 female patients. This technique provides a cosmetically acceptable incision for the median sternotomy approach.