OBJECTIVE: Median resternotomy in coronary redo surgery represents a specific risk for injury of adjacent retrosternal structures. Aiming at improved preoperative evaluation of retrosternal structures, computed tomography (CT) techniques were routinely applied in redo cases. METHODS: Of 99 @entity1 undergoing coronary reoperations since April 93, thoracic CT scans were retrospectively analyzed for retrosternal vicinity of @entity65 , condition of the ascending aorta and structural @entity854 . RESULTS: The minimal median distance between the posterior sternum surface and the anterior aortic wall was measured at 1.9 +/- 0.9 cm, whereas the mean closest distance to the anterior right ventricular wall was 0.4 +/- 0.5 cm. In 28 cases, the distance between sternum and aorta was smaller than or equal to 1 cm. No measurable distance between the sternum and the right ventricle was noted in 41 @entity1 . Calcification of the ascending aorta became obvious 56 times. With respect to potential injury of the ascending aorta or the right ventricle, a safe reentry by resternotomy was facilitated in all cases. However, following complete sawing, the innominate vein became injured during retrosternal dissection in two cases. Preventive femoral vessel exposure was not performed and urgent femoral cannulation (n = 1) was infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: @entity1514 scanning prior to redo coronary surgery allows for detailed assessment of retrosternal relations and facilitates reopening of the sternum. Preventive femoral vessel exposure and lateral thoracotomies may be avoidable in many cases.

XXXX computed tomography prior to redo coronary surgery.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity854 :: ('MESH:D018376', 'Disease') :: ['abnormalities of the sternum'] @entity1514 :: ('MESH:D013896', 'Disease') :: ['Thoracic CT'] @entity65 :: ('MESH:D002318', 'Disease') :: ['cardiovascular structures']
@entity1514 :: (MESH:D013896,Disease) :: ['Thoracic']
