Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
sternotomy
Pronunciation: STUR-not-uh-mee
Surgical incision through the sternum to access the chest cavity.
Full Definition
A sternotomy is a surgical procedure involving a vertical incision through the sternum (breastbone) to provide access to the heart, lungs, and other structures within the thoracic cavity. This approach is commonly used in cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement procedures. The sternum is typically divided using a sternal saw and later rejoined with wires or plates during closure.
Usage
Usage note: Often preceded by 'median' to specify the standard approach through the center of the sternum.
In Context
- "The surgical report indicated that access was gained via median sternotomy." — operative report
- "Post-sternotomy pain management protocols were implemented immediately." — nursing documentation
Also known as
median sternotomy
Don't confuse with
thoracotomy