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Related Experiment Videos

Failure analysis of explanted sternal wires.

Chun-Ming Shih1, Yea-Yang Su, Shing-Jong Lin

  • 1Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan. paul.hank@msa.hinet.net

Biomaterials
|December 4, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Stainless steel sternal wires explanted after heart surgery showed surface corrosion and nickel depletion. Stress and environmental factors likely cause sternal wire failure, leading to dehiscence.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Materials Science
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Sternal wires are crucial for stabilizing the sternum after open-heart surgery.
  • Sternal dehiscence, a complication, can be linked to sternal wire failure.
  • Understanding sternal wire failure mechanisms is vital for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To classify surface damages and fracture mechanisms of explanted stainless steel sternal wires.
  • To investigate the role of corrosion and environmental factors in sternal wire failure.
  • To identify metallic particles within surrounding tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 80 fractured sternal wires from 25 patients using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and X-ray mapping to assess elemental composition.

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  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine surrounding fibrotic tissues for metallic particles.

    • Main Results:

    • Corrosion pits were prevalent on explanted sternal wire surfaces.
    • SEM and EDAX revealed significant nickel depletion in corroded areas.
    • Transgranular cracking indicative of stress corrosion cracking and striations of corrosion fatigue were observed.
    • TEM confirmed metallic particles within macrophages in the surrounding sternal tissue.

    Conclusions:

    • The failure of stainless steel sternal wires is attributed to a synergistic effect of the corrosive physiological environment and mechanical stress.
    • Nickel depletion and specific cracking patterns (stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue) are key indicators of failure.
    • Presence of metallic particles in tissues suggests material degradation and potential inflammatory response.