A New Device for Securing Sternal Wires After Median Sternotomy: Biomechanical Study and Retrospective Clinical Assessment

Objective Morbidity due to sternotomy continues to be a significant clinical problem. Poor approximation of the sternum may lead to complications such as sternal dehiscence, infection, and pain. A device to assist in tensioning and twisting standard steel wires during sternal closure has been developed (TORQTM sternal closure device). Manually tightened interrupted wire closures were compared with those tightened and secured with the aid of the device. Performance of the device was assessed clinically. Methods Four cardiovascular surgeons performed manual and device-assisted closures on a biofidelic model. Closure force was measured to determine the residual force and its intraoperator variation. A retrospective review of patients treated before and after the introduction of the device was conducted. Predicted and actual outcomes were compared for the two groups (manual closure and device-assisted closure). Results Biomechanical testing measured a 75% increase in residual closure force (P
Source: Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research