OBJECTIVE To determine whether the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device (Penn United, USA) is mechanically superior to the current standard in sternotomy closure. DESCRIPTION Unstable sternal closure using traditional steel-wire cerclage can increase postoperative pain, bony cut-through and wound dehiscence. The authors present the Figure 8 sternal fixation device to minimize these compl...

A 51 year old woman without significant past medical history or risk factors for Nocardia infection developed primary Nocardia nova sternal osteomyelitis with mediastinal abscess, diagnosed with open biopsy. She required prolonged antibiotic therapy and had a favorable outcome. Primary sternal osteomyelitis develops in the absence of a contiguous focus of infection, as opposed to secondary ster...

BACKGROUND Primary malignant or metastatic sternal tumors are uncommon. A subtotal or total sternectomy can offer a radical form of treatment. The issue is to restore the structural integrity of the chest wall. CASE PRESENTATION We report the implantation of an individualized 3D-printed titanium sternum in a patient with a sternal tumor. CONCLUSIONS We believe that tridimensional print tech...