<unk>  is a type of surgical procedure in which a vertical inline incision is made along the sternum, after which the sternum itself is divided, or cracked. This procedure provides access to the heart and lungs for surgical procedures such as heart transplant, corrective surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD's), or coronary artery bypass surgery.<unk>  is often mistakenly referred to as open heart surgery; however, open heart involves incision of the pericardium, and many<unk>  procedures do not require this. Open heart usually involves the use of a cardiopulmonary bypass, also known as a heart-lung machine.
Median sternotomy
Pericardial window
Pericardiectomy
Intra-aortic balloon pump
Aortopulmonary window
Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery
Dextrocardia surgery
Hemipelvectomy