Retraction speed and chronic poststernotomy pain: A randomized controlled trial

Approximately 30% of patients develop chronic poststernotomy pain (CPSP) following cardiac surgery with sternal retraction. Risk factors have been described but no causal determinants identified. Investigators hypothesized that opening the sternum slowly would impart less force (and thereby less nerve/tissue damage) and translate to a reduced incidence of CPSP. The main objectives were to determine whether or not slower sternal retraction would reduce the incidence of CPSP and improve health-related quality of life.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research