Cardiac Surgery through a Partial Sternotomy for Combined Valvular Disease in a Patient with Tracheostoma

Abstract

A median full-sternotomy should be avoided in patients with tracheostoma because of the risk of sternal infection and mediastinitis. Recently, there have been some reports on cardiac surgery through a partial sternotomy for combined valvular disease. We present a case in which aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty were successfully performed through a reverse L shape partial sternotomy. This approach minimizes an incision and secures a distance between the incision and tracheostoma.