Corpus sterni reinforcement improves the stability of primary sternal closure in high-risk patients.

Purpose: To compare standard sternal closure techniques with reinforcement longitudinal wire placement in the corpus sterni in high-risk patients undergoing open-heart surgery via median sternotomy.

Methods: The subjects of this study were 71 high-risk patients, 32 (45%) of whom underwent sternal closure by conventional methods (group 1) and 39 (55%) of whom underwent sternal closure with corpus sterni reinforcement. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 90 days.

Results: In group 2, none of the patients had sternal dehiscence and no revision was required, but in group 1, five (15.5%) patients had sternal dehiscence. This difference was significant between the groups (P = 0.024), but there were no significant differences in mediastinitis and mortality (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that primary sternal closure with longitudinal wire reinforcement on both sides of the corpus sterni will decrease the risk of infection and improve wound-healing in parallel with a decrease in sternal dehiscence.