The Safest Method of Sternal Wire Extraction Post-Midsternotomy Closure

Unusual cause of intraoperative hemoptysis

We present a rare complication of sternotomy wire removal in a patient with history of coronary artery bypass graft four years prior now undergoing redo sternotomy for aortic valve replacement. Upon removal of the third sternotomy wire the patient experienced hemoptysis from intrapulmonary hemorrhage, requiring that the procedure be aborted; careful review of preoperative computed tomography (CT) demonstrated this sternotomy wire to be traversing through lung parenchyma.