Fig. 1.

(A) The pericardium was pulled up by several retracted sutures in a circle formation outside of the wound. These retracted sutures were pulled out of the thorax by an Endo Close needle. (B) We named particular placement of these sutures the Stonehenge technique. (C) Aortic valve replacement via right infraaxillary thoracotomy with our Stonehenge technique can be safely and simply performed. (D) Intraoperative photo of the Stonehenge technique. (E) The right infraaxillary thoracotomy approach had better cosmetic results than traditional approaches through the anterior chest wall.