title: Reinforcing the conventional sternal closure.
abstract: Sternal infection is a devastating complication of heart surgery. It may be the result of unstable osteosynthesis, caused by the sternal wires cutting into the cortical layers, which results in tension loss and gap formation. We describe a technique that prevents the cerclages from cutting into the sternal plates and covers the sternum with a well-capillarized barrier of major pectoralis muscle.
authors.affiliation: German Heart Center Berlin. zurbruegg@dhzb.de
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Zurbrügg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Freestone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hetzer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001864:Bone Wires; D006801:Humans; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology