title: Paramedian sternal bone plate reinforcement and wiring for difficult sternotomy wounds.
abstract: Longitudinally oriented bone plates of stainless steel adapted to each sternal half after midline sternotomy provide a reinforced construct for transverse wiring. A method for placement of these 3.5-mm screw diameter plates in a supraperiosteal position is described. Clinical indications for use have included sternal osteoporosis, previous pull through of conventional wires, segmental sternal fractures, and obese body habitus. This technique is presented as a method to avoid sternal instability and potential wound infection for those patients at risk for sternal separation with standard wiring techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Smoot
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001864:Bone Wires; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel