title: An alternative reinforced closure technique with external Kirschner wires in sternal dehiscence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present an alternative closure technique that is effective in length stabilization of the dehisced sternum, technically easy, and less time consuming.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2000 and June 2003, 850 patients underwent open heart surgery in the participating clinics. In all of the patients, the sternotomies were primarily closed with No. 5 steel wires in a figure 8 manner or with single sutures. Eleven patients with sterile sternal dehiscence underwent operations with Kirschner wires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the postoperative period, no complications related to the implants were observed in any of the patients in the early and late follow-ups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this technique, the fragile sternum is easily and effectively stabilized by reinforcing with suprasternal Kirschner wires without applying complicated manipulations.
authors: Institute of Cardiology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Oguz
authors: O
authors: Omay
authors: Emre
authors: E
authors: Ozker
authors: Cenk
authors: C
authors: Indelen
authors: Kaya
authors: K
authors: Suzer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing