title: Operative treatment of sternal fractures.
abstract: Four patients with displaced sternal fractures complained of intractable pain following road traffic accidents. They all had bone deformities, but only one had associated traumatic injuries. All patients underwent operative reduction and fixation of the fractured sternum using a T-shaped compression-tension stainless steel plate and screws. Pain relief was often dramatic and all patients progressed to sternal union. None required reoperation. No infections occurred. Two plates have subsequently been removed. On follow-up, all patients had excellent results. Sternal plating, which is based on the tension-band principle, is an effective treatment for displaced sternal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Jordan University Hospital, PO Box 13255 Amman 11942, Jordan. al_qudah_as@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Qudah
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications