A modified parasternal wire technique for prevention and treatment of sternal dehiscence

Background. Sternal dehiscence with or without mediastinitis is a devastating complication of median sternotomy. Various techniques of sternotomy closure including 'figure of eight' wire sutures, nylon bands, and custom-made titanium-H plates have been described. We have devised and tested a new method of sternal closure to prevent sternal wound complications in patients at high risk of sternal dehiscence. Methods. 1336 patients underwent sternotomy for various cardiac operations from January 1996 to January 2002. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 560 patients who did not have any high risk factors for sternal dehiscence and received a standard six wire closure. Group II comprised of patients at high risk of sternal dehiscence and were divided randomly into subgroup II A (n=390), which included patients who had conventional sternal closure. While in subgroup II B (n=386) patients had a modified parasternal wire closure according to the finalized protocol. Results. Sternal instability was noticed in 1/560 and none had sternal dehiscence in group I, but 16/390 patients had sternal instability and 3/390 had sternal dehiscence in subgroup II A, whereas only one patient in high risk subgroup II B developed sternal dehiscence with mediastinitis and required a pectoral flap advancement for sternal closure. Conclusions. Use of modified parasternal wire closure in patients with a high risk of sternal dehiscence is a safe, effective, technically easily reproducible, as well as economical, method of preventing and treating sternal dehiscence.