The approach to the heart for open heart surgery in patients with a tracheostoma requires careful consideration. The presence of a tracheostoma interferes with the Standard sternotomy and increases the risk of mediastinitis. We have successfully performed coronary artery bypass grafting in two patients with a tracheostoma using the limited median sternotomy and describe the surgical procedure used in these patients.
Tracheostoma - Coronary artery bypass grafting - Median sternotomy