Comparison of straight sternotomy and interlocking sternotomy in open heart surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Stable sternal approximation is an important factor to avoid respiratory complications after open heart surgery. The present study is designed to compare interlocking sternotomy and straight sternotomy in terms of sternal stability, pain and respiratory function.


METHODS
Sixty patients scheduled for open heart surgery underwent a standard midline sternotomy (n=30) or an interlocking sternotomy (n=30). The features assessed were pain on visual analogue scale during rest and during cough, peak expiratory flow rate and sternal instability. Evaluation was performed on the first, fourth post-operative days, on discharge and one month and three month follow up.


RESULTS
Analysis of the peak expiratory flow rates, visual analogue ratings of pain intensity at rest and on coughing were carried out for each group only for those patients who completed the study. Postoperatively, in all patients there was significant reduction in peak expiratory flow rates. In the straight sternotomy group resting pain intensity was higher on discharge (2.6+/- 2 vs 1.6 +/- 2.3, P= 0.005). In the interlocking sternotomy group pain on coughing was significantly less than straight sternotomy group (median 0.5 vs 2.8, P=0.005) at 1 month follow up and at 3 months (median 0 vs 1.6, P=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Interlocking sternotomy can be performed with good functional results and offers a less painful alternative to straight sternotomy.
Madan
Kushal
K
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Gupta
Vishwa Prakash
VP
Singh
Rajvir
R
Talwar
Sachin
S
Choudhary
Shiv Kumar
SK
Airan
Balram
B
Sampath Kumar
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*