Partial coverage adhesive augmented sternal fixation and stabilization: A biomechanical analysis.

Adhesive-augmented sternal fixation (AASF) has been investigated as an alternative to the clinical standard of cerclage wires; however, previous studies have focused on a full adhesive layer across the sternal midline, which acts as a barrier to bone healing. This study used a human cadaveric model to investigate if partial coverage AASF used in combination with wired fixation could provide adequate stability. Median sternotomies were performed on fifteen human cadaveric sterna.

Review of Biomechanical Studies and Finite Element Modeling of Sternal Closure Using Bio-Active Adhesives.

The most common complication of median sternotomy surgery is sternum re-separation after sternal fixation, which leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality. The adhered sternal fixation technique comprises the wiring fixation technique and the use of bio-adhesives. Adhered sternal fixation techniques have not been extensively studied using finite element analysis, so mechanical testing studies and finite element analysis of sternal fixation will be presented in this review to find the optimum techniques for simulating sternal fixation with adhesives.