Percutaneous Cementoplasty to Treat Sternal Instability After Cardiac Surgery
Thaïs Pittet1, Stéphane Cook1,2, Gregory Khatchatourov2
1Cardiology Department, University Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|February 25, 2022
Summary
Percutaneous cementoplasty effectively treats sternal pseudarthrosis after cardiac surgery, significantly reducing chest pain and improving patients' quality of life. This minimally invasive approach offers a promising alternative for managing this debilitating condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pain Management
Background:
- Sternal pseudarthrosis, a rare complication post-cardiac surgery, causes significant chest pain and reduced quality of life.
- The condition results from non-union of the sternum, leading to motion-dependent pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cementoplasty for treating symptomatic sternal pseudarthrosis.
- To report clinical outcomes and patient follow-up after this minimally invasive procedure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case series of five patients with symptomatic sternal pseudarthrosis post-cardiac surgery.
- Treatment involved percutaneous cementoplasty.
- Symptom progression was assessed using the Quebec back pain disability (QBPD) scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Main Results:
- No local complications or neurological deficits were observed.
- Imaging confirmed no major cement leakage, embolism, or damage to adjacent structures.
- Significant improvements in quality of life were reported, with reduced pain during daily activities.
- QBPD scores improved from 54.8 ± 29.3 to 30.0 ± 17.4 (p=0.02) and VAS scores from 7.0 ± 2.8 to 1.6 ± 1.6 (p=0.01).
- Three patients discontinued analgesic use post-procedure.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous cementoplasty is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic sternal pseudarthrosis.
- This conservative approach offers a promising solution for pain reduction and improved quality of life in selected patients.
- Cementoplasty represents a viable alternative to more invasive treatments for sternal non-union.
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