Multiple surgeries that open chest don’t add extra risk for transplant patients: Study

Summary: Doctors have always known that if you need an organ transplant, having a past chest surgery (where they open your breastbone, called a sternotomy) makes the new surgery riskier. This is because old scars can bleed and make it harder for surgeons to operate. But a new study from Vanderbilt Health found a big surprise! If you've had more than one chest surgery, your risk doesn't go up any higher than if you only had one.

Researchers looked at 552 patients and realized that stacking up these surgeries doesn't add extra danger. This is great news because it means doctors don't have to turn away patients just because they've had multiple chest surgeries in the past. It gives patients who need a new heart or lungs real hope for a safe transplant.

For more details, see vumc at news.vumc.org/2026/02/27/multiple-surgeries-that-open-chest-dont-add-extra-risk-for-transplant-patients-study/ (opens in new tab)