Comparison of the sternal wires and sternal cable in closure of the sternum during cardiac surgery

Corresponding author: Yücel Özen, M.D. Kartal Koşuyolu Yüksek İhtisas Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, 34844 Cevizli, Kartal, İstanbul, Turkey. Tel: +90 505 872 76 56 e-mail: [email protected] Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the sternal cable system (Cable group) with the standard monofilament system (Wire group) in the sternal closure of cardiac surgery patients. Patients and methods: Between January 2014 and September 2014, a total of 56 patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the closure modality. The Cable group in whom the sternal cables were used consisted 24 patients, whereas the Wire group included 32 patients. Risk factors such as obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, reoperation and closure with figure-of-8 were considered in the selection of these patients. The length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, blood drainage, infection and sternal complications were compared between the groups. Results: Preoperative and perioperative variables between two groups were similar. There was no postoperative sternal complications for the Cable group, however, sternal dehiscence and superficial wound infections were observed in two patients in the Wire group. An inf lammatory reaction to the wire developed within one month in a patient. Conclusion: We recommend using sternal cable system instead of wires in the patients having risk factors for sternal instability.