BACKGROUND: We sought to assess the efficiency of two different sternal closure techniques in preventing sternal wound complications (SWC). A cost analysis was also considered. METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2010, 1,644 consecutive cardiac surgery patients who underwent cardiac surgery in our institute were prospectively collected. A total of 1,072 patients received a standard parasternal wiring technique (group A), and 572 patients received a new method of sternal closure based on the use of thermoreactive nitillium clips (Flexigrip; Praesidia SRL, Bologna, Italy [group B]). We investigated, by a propensity matched analysis, whether the use of standard or nitinol clip closure would impact on sternal wound outcome. RESULTS: In all, 464 patients of each group were matched for 17 available risk factors. Overall incidence of SWC was significantly higher in group A (4.1% versus 1.7%; p=0.03). Sternal surgical revision to treat a thoracic instability was required in a significantly higher number of patients in group A (9 patients, 1.9%) and in none of group B (p=0.004). The incidence of sternal instability, secondary to wound infection, was significantly lower in group B (p=0.05). Overall costs were €7,407,296 and €6,896,432 in group A and group B, respectively. Thus, nitinol clip closure technique offered a €510,864 cost saving compared with standard steel wiring technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Flexigrip assured a lower incidence of SWC. The use of the nitinol clip favored an improved sternal closure technique preventing mediastinitis. Additionally, the nitinol clip system proved to be cost effective in cardiac surgery.
BACKGROUND: We sought to assess the efficiency of two different sternal closure techniques in preventing sternal wound complications (SWC). A cost analysis was also considered. METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2010, 1,644 consecutive cardiac surgery patients who underwent cardiac surgery in our institute were prospectively collected. A total of 1,072 patients received a standard parasternal wiring technique (group A), and 572 patients received a new method of sternal closure based on the use of thermoreactive nitillium clips (Flexigrip; Praesidia SRL, Bologna, Italy [group B]). We investigated, by a propensity matched analysis, whether the use of standard or nitinol clip closure would impact on sternal wound outcome. RESULTS: In all, 464 patients of each group were matched for 17 available risk factors. Overall incidence of SWC was significantly higher in group A (4.1% versus 1.7%; p=0.03). Sternal surgical revision to treat a thoracic instability was required in a significantly higher number of patients in group A (9 patients, 1.9%) and in none of group B (p=0.004). The incidence of sternal instability, secondary to wound infection, was significantly lower in group B (p=0.05). Overall costs were €7,407,296 and €6,896,432 in group A and group B, respectively. Thus, nitinol clip closure technique offered a €510,864 cost saving compared with standard steel wiring technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Flexigrip assured a lower incidence of SWC. The use of the nitinol clip favored an improved sternal closure technique preventing mediastinitis. Additionally, the nitinol clip system proved to be cost effective in cardiac surgery.
Authors: Hanadi Al Salmi; Ahmed Elmahrouk; Amr A Arafat; Azzahra Edrees; Mashael Alshehri; Ghassan Wali; Ibrahim Zabani; Nasser A Mahdi; Ahmed Jamjoom Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2019-03-21 Impact factor: 1.671
Authors: Emilio Bouza; Arístides de Alarcón; María Carmen Fariñas; Juan Gálvez; Miguel Ángel Goenaga; Francisco Gutiérrez-Díez; Javier Hortal; José Lasso; Carlos A Mestres; José M Miró; Enrique Navas; Mercedes Nieto; Antonio Parra; Enrique Pérez de la Sota; Hugo Rodríguez-Abella; Marta Rodríguez-Créixems; Jorge Rodríguez-Roda; Gemma Sánchez Espín; Dolores Sousa; Carlos Velasco García de Sierra; Patricia Muñoz; Martha Kestler Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2021-11-26 Impact factor: 4.241