HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Nicola Francalancia Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pai, S. Articles by Billiar, K. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pai, S. Articles by Billiar, K. L. Related Collections Chest wall

Ann Thorac Surg 2005;80:962-968
© 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Original article: Cardiovascular

In Vitro Comparison of Wire and Plate Fixation for Midline Sternotomies

^a Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
^b Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
^c Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
^d Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts

Accepted for publication March 21, 2005.

^_* Address reprint requests to Dr Billiar, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609 (Email: kbilliar{at}wpi.edu).

BACKGROUND: The incidence of severe sternal wound complications in high-risk cardiac patients presents a significant need for more stabile sternal fixation techniques after median sternotomy procedures. Rigid metal plates, a potential alternative to wire fixation, are thought to promote faster sternal healing by reducing motion at the wound site. The goal of this study was to compare the stability provided by commercially available sternal plates with standard wires using an in vitro model.

METHODS: Lateral distraction tests were conducted on bisected polyurethane sternal models fixed with either a standard 7 wire configuration (n = 5) or a 3 plate configuration (n = 3). To assure controlled loading, the sternal models were attached to a computer-controlled test machine by a novel tethering system that distributes the total force (180N) equally to eight locations on the sternum. Stability was defined as the ability to restrict sternal separation at seven locations along the midline quantified using digital image analysis.

RESULTS: Our results indicate that rigid plate fixation significantly reduced lateral motion relative to wire fixation. The lower sternal region most noticeably benefited from plate fixation as the splaying observed for wire fixation was reduced.

CONCLUSIONS: Under these loading conditions, plating increased stability at the midline compared to wires; this increased stability may facilitate the recovery of high-risk patients undergoing cardiac operation. To enhance in vitro testing methods, future studies should incorporate additional in vivo loading conditions applied to the sternum. Alternate plating configurations should also be examined to further increase stability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Schimmer, S.-P. Sommer, M. Bensch, T. Bohrer, I. Aleksic, and R. Leyh Sternal closure techniques and postoperative sternal wound complications in elderly patients. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2008; 34(1): 132 - 138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Voss, R. Bauernschmitt, A. Will, M. Krane, R. Kross, G. Brockmann, P. Libera, and R. Lange Sternal reconstruction with titanium plates in complicated sternal dehiscence. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2008; 34(1): 139 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. C.H. John Modified closure technique for reducing sternal dehiscence; a clinical and in vitro assessment Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 2008; 33(5): 769 - 773. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Zeitani, A. Penta de Peppo, A. Bianco, F. Nanni, A. Scafuri, F. Bertoldo, A. Salvati, S. Nardella, and L. Chiariello Performance of a Novel Sternal Synthesis Device After Median and Faulty Sternotomy: Mechanical Test and Early Clinical Experience Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2008; 85(1): 287 - 293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Raman, D. Straus, and D. H. Song Rigid Plate Fixation of the Sternum Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2007; 84(3): 1056 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Zeitani, A. P. de Peppo, M. Moscarelli, L. G. Wolf, A. Scafuri, P. Nardi, F. Nanni, E. Di Marzio, P. De Vico, and L. Chiariello Influence of sternal size and inadvertent paramedian sternotomy on stability of the closure site: A clinical and mechanical study J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 2006; 132(1): 38 - 42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Losanoff Invited commentary Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2005; 80(3): 968 - 968. [Full Text] [PDF]