title: Application of the titanium plate fixation system in sternum transverse incisions.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to review the application of the titanium plate fixation system in sternum transverse incisions and assess its advantages over the conventional methods of steel wire fixation. Sternal healing of 249 patients who underwent a thymectomy and/or excision of  the thymoma with a transverse sternal incision was compared between patients who underwent titanium plate fixation or steel wire fixation. Short-term results: The stability of the sternum was significantly superior in the titanium plate group compared with the steel wire group (P <  0.01). Out-of-bed activities started earlier for patients in the titanium plate group compared with the steel wire group (P < 0.01). Long-term results: The sternal healing rate in the titanium plate group was significantly higher than the steel wire group (P < 0.05). Titanium  plate fixation improves the postoperative sternal stability in patients with transverse sternal incisions for thymectomy and/or excision of a thymoma. Titanium plate fixation also reduces postoperative pain, enhances the patient's physical activity, and decreases the long-term nonunion rate  of the sternum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qin-Yun
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Lie-Wen
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000601:surgery*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods; D013945:Thymoma / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium