Traumatic fracture of nitinol thermoreactive sternal clips.
Median sternotomy can be associated with significant morbidity, including non-union, dehiscence and mediastinitis. The use of flexible thermoreactive sternal clips has been introduced recently as an alternative method of sternal closure and is advocated in patients at increased risk of sternal breakdown. It is associated with a decreased incidence of sternal complications as well as allowing faster sternal closure and easy removal on resternotomy. This report describes the case of a fractured thermoreactive clip following trauma, resulting in sternal dehiscence necessitating sternal rewiring.
Broadhurst
Jack
J
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Moorjani
Narain
N
Ohri
Sunil
S
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D001864:Bone Wires; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol