Sternotomy Statistics: ~500,000 Annually in US, >2 Million Worldwide

Median sternotomy (vertical sternal split) is the standard incision for cardiac surgery.

Annual Volumes

• United States: ~500,000 procedures/year.
• Global: >2 million/year (includes CABG, valve, transplant, congenital, aortic).

Common Indications

• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): ~200,000/yr US.
• Valve replacement/repair: ~100,000/yr.
• Aortic surgery, heart transplant, congenital repairs, VAD implantation.

Alternatives Reducing Sternotomy

• Minimally invasive (mini-thoracotomy, robotic).
• Transcatheter (TAVR, MitraClip, TMVR).
• Hybrid approaches.

Complications

• Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI): 0.5–2% (devastating).
• Sternal dehiscence/instability.
• Chronic post-sternotomy pain.

Despite alternatives, full sternotomy remains gold standard for complex, multi-procedure, and reoperative cardiac surgery.