BACKGROUND: This case describes a 75-year-old African American man who developed a pyogenic granuloma on the chest due to trauma induced by exposed sternotomy wires from his coronary bypass procedure. OBJECTIVE: To describe a previously unreported cause of pyogenic granuloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pyogenic granuloma was excised and during the procedure, exposed sternotomy wires were uncoiled at the base of the lesion. The sternotomy wires were retightened and reappositioned along the sternum, and the wound was closed primarily. RESULTS: The pyogenic granuloma has not recurred after 15 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic granulomas are vascular benign tumors that commonly appear secondary to trauma. The source of the trauma in this case was the exposed sternotomy wires.
BACKGROUND: This case describes a 75-year-old African American man who developed a pyogenic granuloma on the chest due to trauma induced by exposed sternotomy wires from his coronary bypass procedure. OBJECTIVE: To describe a previously unreported cause of pyogenic granuloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pyogenic granuloma was excised and during the procedure, exposed sternotomy wires were uncoiled at the base of the lesion. The sternotomy wires were retightened and reappositioned along the sternum, and the wound was closed primarily. RESULTS: The pyogenic granuloma has not recurred after 15 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic granulomas are vascular benign tumors that commonly appear secondary to trauma. The source of the trauma in this case was the exposed sternotomy wires.