Facilitating redo sternotomy: A patented handheld retractor for safe reentry in reoperative cardiac surgery

Reoperative cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.1 This is partly due to patient comorbidities and complex cardiovascular pathology, but also due to technical challenges such as dense adhesions, lack of anatomic clarity, and the close proximity of vital structures to the posterior surface of the sternum. Critical structures including the innominate vein, right ventricle, and ascending aorta are at risk of injury during sternal reentry and mediastinal dissection.2 The increasing number of patients undergoing initial cardiac operations—particularly those with tissue valve replacements, ventricular assist devices, or congenital heart disease—has led to a growing population of long-term survivors who may eventually require redo procedures.