title: Surgical fixation of sternal fractures: locked plate fixation by low-profile titanium plates--surgical safety through depth limited drilling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Operative treatment of sternal fractures has become a matter of increasing interest. Anterior plating seems to be the most appropriate method for fixing sternal fractures. However, there are several concerns in relation to the operative procedure such as severe injuries to mediastinal organs, patient comfort and proper stabilisation, for example. This paper describes a safe method of anterior sternal plating using locked plate fixation with limited depth drilling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with sternal fractures were included in this cohort study and were treated by anterior plating using one or two plates in parallel through a median approach to the sternum. Follow up was performed after six weeks, 12 weeks and six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow up revealed no serious complications. One patient suffered from postoperative wound seroma. No problems were caused by the plates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sternal plating using low profile locked titanium plates seems to be a safe and stable method with a high level of patient comfort.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulz-Drost
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauerer
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grupp
authors.forename: Friedrich F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blanke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D061646:Operative Time; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium