[Experimental studies of stabilization of refixation following median sternotomy]

So far several methods have been established for refixing the sternum halves after longitudinal sternotomy like steel wire or steel strap according to Parham. The use of twisted absorbable PDS-strings is new. During experimental investigations in corpse sterna during tension load the different refixing methods were compared. As a result we found an increased tension stability of the sternum refixation as well as the reversibility of suture dehiscences, if occurred, after employment of the elastic PDS-string. Polydioxanon is a suggestive alternative compared with the usual not absorbable materials for refixation of the sternum.