Ryan M Wilson1, Paul A Ghareeb2, W Thomas McClellan3, Ashley N Boustany4. 1. University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Lexington, Kentucky; 2. Emory University School of Medicine Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia; 3. West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Morgantown, West Virginia; 4. University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Abstract
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 complications. Biomechanical properties of the device were compared with conventional steel wire sternal repair. EVALUATION: Using two constructs of both FlatWire and steel wire, pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact and cut-through were compared. Samples were tested to 500,000 cycles or failure. Cyclic comparisons were performed using log-rank t tests and Student's t tests for cut-through analysis. FlatWires were found to have superior biomechanical properties in all categories tested. CONCLUSION: The FlatWire provides superior biomechanical properties compared with conventional steel wire, which may lead to reduced sternal wound complications.
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 complications. Biomechanical properties of the device were compared with conventional steel wire sternal repair. EVALUATION: Using two constructs of both FlatWire and steel wire, pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact and cut-through were compared. Samples were tested to 500,000 cycles or failure. Cyclic comparisons were performed using log-rank t tests and Student's t tests for cut-through analysis. FlatWires were found to have superior biomechanical properties in all categories tested. CONCLUSION: The FlatWire provides superior biomechanical properties compared with conventional steel wire, which may lead to reduced sternal wound complications.
Authors: Julian E Losanoff; Andrea D Collier; Colette C Wagner-Mann; Bruce W Richman; Harold Huff; Fu hung Hsieh; Alberto Diaz-Arias; James W Jones Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: F D Loop; B W Lytle; D M Cosgrove; S Mahfood; M C McHenry; M Goormastic; R W Stewart; L A Golding; P C Taylor Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 1990-02 Impact factor: 4.330