Delayed thoracic closure after cardiac surgery in infants.

We report 4 cases of delayed thoracic closure after cardiac surgery in infants: 3 cases with transposition of the great arteries and one with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Sternal and skin closure in the primary operation sometimes causes haemodynamic cardiac compression. Postoperative correction of haemodynamic and haemostatic functions are allowed by delayed sternal and skin closure. No complications were encountered.