title: Sternotomy closure with Parham bands.
abstract: The closure of a median sternotomy incision requires secure bony approximation to prevent postoperative pain, sternal click, and/or nonunion of bone. The standard technique of sternotomy closure involves the use of stainless steel wires for reapproximation of the sternum. These wires occasionally break or pull through bone, resulting in instability of either a portion of the sternum or the entire sternum. Presented here is our technique for sternotomy closure that provides secure closure with reduced postoperative morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badellino
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Cavarocchi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kolff
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Alpern
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McClurken
mesh_terms: D001864:Bone Wires / Q000592:standards*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*