American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does sternotomy refer to?

1. Surgical incision of the pelvis

2. Surgical incision of the ribcage

3. Surgical incision of sternum

4. Surgical incision of the spine

The correct answer is: Surgical incision of sternum

Sternotomy specifically refers to the surgical procedure involving an incision made through the sternum, or breastbone, to gain access to the thoracic cavity, which houses vital organs such as the heart and lungs. This approach is commonly used during cardiac surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve replacements, allowing surgeons to properly visualize and operate on the structures inside the chest. In the context of the other options, while they each describe surgical incisions at different anatomical sites, only the incision through the sternum accurately reflects the definition of sternotomy. An incision of the pelvis pertains to procedures in the lower abdomen, an incision of the ribcage involves the ribs rather than the sternum, and an incision of the spine relates to spinal surgeries, none of which apply to the specific term "sternotomy."