Usefulness of sternal closure with bioresorbable plate in respiratory function after coronary artery bypass grafting

The aim of our study is to investigate that sternal reconstruction using bioresorbable plate in median sternotomy may reduce postoperative respiratory dysfunction when compared with wire cerclage only.

We reviewed 107 patients who were undergone coronary artery bypass grafting with median sternotomy. Patients were divided into two groups; patients underwent sternal reconstruction with bioresorbable plate and wire cerclage (S group, n = 56), patients with wire cerclage only (N group, n = 51), and perioperative respiratory function and postoperative pain score data were analyzed and compared between two groups.

There was no significantly difference in preoperative respiratory function in both groups. However, in postoperative change rate of respiratory function, N group had significant decrease compared with S group in vital capacity (VC) (N: S = 74.8 ± 12.4: 85.2 ± 14.8%, p = 0.020), VC as a percentage of predicated VC (N: S = 75.0 ± 12.5: 86.4 ± 15.1%, p = 0.012), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (N: S = 73.7 ± 9.2: 85.3 ± 16.4%, p = 0.012). In Prince Henry Pain Scale, there were significantly more in N group compared with S group (N: S = 3.4 ± 1.0: 2.6 ± 1.4, p = 0.003).

Sternal fixation with bioresorbable plate could reduce impairment of postoperative respiratory function in comparison to wire cerclage only.