Prevention of sternal dehiscence and infection in high-risk patients: a prospective randomized multicenter trial.

Background: One factor for the development of sternal wound infection (SWI) is bony instability after sternotomy. This study compares two surgical techniques with respect to the occurrence of SWI in patients with an increased risk.

Methods: In this multicenter study, 815 consecutive patients with an increased risk for SWI were prospectively randomly assigned to a conventional osteosynthesis (transsternal or peristernal wiring; n = 440) or to an osteosynthesis with additional lateral reinforcement (Robicsek; n = 375).