title: [Use of sternal zipper in open heart surgery].
abstract: A sternal zipper was used in 50 patients with an unstable haemodynamic condition after open heart surgery. The patients were 19 women and 31 men (average age 51.6 years, range 7 to 67 years). The indications for surgery were aortocoronary bypass in 25 cases, replacement of the ascending aorta in 7 cases, valve replacement in 16 cases and correction of congenital heart disease in 2 cases. Twenty eight patients required circulatory assistance. The sternal zipper was used for 4 to 72 hours (average 29.5 hours) and mediastinal toilet was performed at least every 24 hours. At each opening of the zipper, 3 bacteriological swabs were taken from 3 different sites in the mediastinum and sent for culture. Global mortality was 36% (N = 18). The cause of death was a low output syndrome in 12 cases, hepatic and renal failure in 2 cases, resistant arrhythmia in 1 case, neurological complication in 1 case and septicaemia in 2 cases. There was one late death 3 months after hospital discharge which was attributed to a cardiac arrhythmia. The sternal zipper would seem to be a valuable option when the operative conditions are difficult, allowing the chest to remain open, so preventing cardiac compression during a critical period.
authors.affiliation: Centre de chirurgie cardiovasculaire et thoracique d'Istanbul, Turquie.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirtas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alhan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demiray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dagsali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koryak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001243:Assisted Circulation; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011095:Polyethylenes; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes
vernacular_title: Application du fermoir sternal au cours de la chirurgie à coeur ouvert.