An alternative reinforced closure technique with external Kirschner wires in sternal dehiscence.

OBJECTIVE

We present an alternative closure technique that is effective in length stabilization of the dehisced sternum, technically easy, and less time consuming.

METHODS

Between June 2000 and June 2003, 850 patients underwent open heart surgery in the participating clinics. In all of the patients, the sternotomies were primarily closed with No. 5 steel wires in a figure 8 manner or with single sutures. Eleven patients with sterile sternal dehiscence underwent operations with Kirschner wires.

RESULTS

During the postoperative period, no complications related to the implants were observed in any of the patients in the early and late follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

With this technique, the fragile sternum is easily and effectively stabilized by reinforcing with suprasternal Kirschner wires without applying complicated manipulations.