[Management of sternal dehiscence following median sternotomy: modified Robicsek technique for sternal dehiscence]

Median sternotomy is the standard incision for surgery of the heart and great vessels. But patients who undergo median sternotomy continue to suffer morbidity and death from sternal wound complications. Recently we have experienced 4 cases of patients with postoperative sternal dehiscence following median sternotomy. We have used a technique of sternal approximation that is a modification of the technique described by Robicsek and associates. We believe this technique should not be used routinely but seems to be useful in the stabilization of complicated sternal dehiscence especially in the presence of multiple cutting through the sternum. The described technique is easy to perform, and its advantage is that it provides good stability in perioperative respiratory management of patient with sternal dehiscence following median sternotomy.