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Reinforcing the conventional sternal closure
H R Zurbrügg1, T Freestone, M Bauer
1German Heart Center Berlin. zurbruegg@dhzb.de
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|July 13, 2000
Summary
A novel surgical technique prevents sternal wire complications after heart surgery. This method covers the sternum with muscle, reducing infection risk and improving healing for sternal osteosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Sternal infection is a severe complication following cardiac surgery.
- Unstable osteosynthesis, characterized by sternal wire cutting into cortical bone, leads to tension loss and gap formation, increasing infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a surgical technique that mitigates sternal wire complications during osteosynthesis.
- To present a method for protecting the sternum and enhancing its vascularized coverage.
Main Methods:
- A technique is detailed that prevents sternal cerclages from cutting into sternal plates.
- The sternum is covered with a well-capillarized barrier created using the major pectoralis muscle.
Main Results:
- The described technique aims to prevent sternal wire migration and associated complications.
- Utilizing the pectoralis muscle provides a vascularized barrier, potentially improving sternal wound healing and reducing infection rates.
Conclusions:
- This surgical approach offers a method to enhance sternal stability and reduce the incidence of sternal wound complications.
- The pectoralis muscle flap provides a robust, well-vascularized coverage for the sternum, supporting improved patient outcomes after heart surgery.