Effective median sternotomy closure in high-risk open heart patients.

We describe a novel surgical technique with a median sternotomy closure in high-risk open heart patients. In contrast to conventional sternal closure, in which sternal wires are passed through the intercostal space, the novel technique in sternal closure passes sternal wires transcostally or through costo-chondral joints. Copyright (c) 2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.