title: Repair of transverse sternal nonunions using metal plates and autogenous bone graft.
abstract: Transverse sternal nonunion is a complication of sternal fracture or partial sternotomy, and requires surgical treatment. Three patients with repeated failure of standard sternal repair were treated with a technique using metal plates and autogenous bone graft, which resulted in bone union in all patients. Metal plating of the sternum, accompanied by autogenous bone graft, is an effective method of treating transverse sternal nonunion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Latter-Day Saints Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. kbertin@utahhipandknee.com
authors.forename: Kim C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Bertin
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Donald B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Doty
authors.forename: Kent W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery