Case studies in success Avoiding sternotomy. - Faculty Mark Mettauer, MD Minimally aortic valve surgery avoiding sternotomy.

Median sternotomy is one of many incisions that can be made in the thorax and gives a wide view of the thoracic cavity. Other incisions which involve the sternum, providing access to the thoracic cavity include the hemisternotomy (upper or lower), bilateral thoracosternotomy (clamshell), thoracosternotomy (hemi clamshell) and modified thoracosternotomy.