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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020; 68(08): 752-754
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1696949
How to Do It

A Technique for 360-Degree Rigid Sternal Fixation with Sternal Plates and Wire Cerclage

Taylor M. James 
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, Florida, United States
,
Marcos A. Nores
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, Florida, United States
,
Sotiris Stamou
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, Florida, United States
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Abstract

Sternal instability after cardiac surgery can lead to poor bony healing, as well as deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis. Rigid plate fixation is associated with greater stability and fewer complications compared with wire cerclage, however, rigid plate fixation alone lacks posterior stability of the sternum and may be less effective in morbidly obese or osteoporotic patients. This article describes a surgical technique of combined rigid plate fixation and wire cerclage that provides 360-degree stabilization for sternotomies in high-risk patients. We employed this technique in 40 patients with no incidence of deep sternal wound infection.

Keywords

sternum - surgical technique - wound infection


Publication History

Received: 27 May 2019

Accepted: 05 August 2019

Article published online:
20 September 2019

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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