title: Midterm Results of Sternal Band Closure in Open Heart Surgery and Risk Analysis of Sternal Band Removal.
abstract: Sternal dehiscence, which is responsible for the development of mediastinitis, is a serious complication after cardiothoracic surgery. We retrospectively compared the results of two methods for sternal closure after cardiothoracic surgery performed during January 2009 to May 2012. The methods comprised closure with sternal bands and steel wires (group A, n = 92) versus conventional closure using steel wires alone (group B, n = 442). Although not significantly different between the two groups, no patients undergoing sternal band closure experienced dehiscence or mediastinitis. The incidence of having to remove materials used for sternal closure was significantly higher in group A than in group B. In each case of removal in group A, the materials removed were sternal bands whose tips had caused direct cutaneous irritation. Thus, although sternal bands may be effective for rigid sternal closure, they must sometimes be removed because of chest discomfort caused by the tip of the band.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuma
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Motomatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imasaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tomita
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Cardiac surgery; Dehiscence; Median sternotomy; Mediastinitis; Sternal band