Confirmation of Safety of Titanium Wire in Sternotomy Closure, A Randomized Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

There are many factors that are known to increase the risk of sternal wound infection (SWI); some studies have reported that nickel is a risk factor for SWI. Titanium wires have only been used as an alternative to steel wires in patients with known allergy to nickel. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the safety of using titanium wires compared to that on the safety of steel wires for sternum closure after cardiac surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the noninferiority of titanium wires, even in patients without a known allergy.

METHODS

A total of 322 patients who underwent elective full median sternotomy were randomly assigned to sternal closure either by titanium wires (n = 161) or by stainless steel wires.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had sternal instability, six (3.7%) patients in the titanium group and eight (5%) patients in the stainless steel group (p = 0.585). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of postoperative wound infection (p = 0.147). Patients in the titanium group experienced statistically significant lower postoperative pain than those in the stainless steel group (p = 0.024). The wire type was not an independent risk factor for SI, as shown by univariate and logistic regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

Titanium wires are a good alternative and have been proven to be safe and effective for sternal closure. The surgeon should be aware of the possibility of developing an allergic reaction to the wires, especially in patients with previous multiple allergic histories.

Comparison of Two Techniques Performing the Supine-to-Sitting Postural Change in Patients with Sternotomy

Patients with sternotomy are advised to follow sternal precautions to avoid the risk of sternal complications. However, there are no standard recommendations, in particular to perform the supine-to-sitting postural change, where sternal asymmetrical force may be applied. The aim of this study was to compare the rotational movement and the use of a tied rope (individual device for supine-to-sitting, "IDSS") to perform the supine-to-sitting postural change. A total of 92 patients (26% female) admitted to a rehabilitative post-surgery ward with sternotomy were assessed for sternal instability. Levels of pain and perceived effort during the two modalities of postural change and at rest were assessed. Patients reported higher values of pain and perceived effort (both p < 0.0005) during rotational movement with respect to the use of the IDSS. Moreover, patients with sternal instability (14%) and female patients with macromastia (25%) reported higher pain than those stable or without macromastia (both p < 0.05). No other risk factors were associated with pain. Thus, the IDSS seems to reduce the levels of pain and perceived effort during the supine-to-sitting postural change. Future studies with quantitative assessments are required to suggest the adoption of this technique, mostly in patients with high levels of pain or with sternal instability.

[Chest wall morphological changes after sternal reconstruction with titanium mesh implant in patients with sternum instability]

Sternal instability is the one of the unresolved problems in open cardiac surgery (1-8%). The risk of recurrence after repeated osteosynthesis is up to 20% in these patients. Repeated osteosynthesis is impossible in some cases, and this complicates anterior chest wall reconstruction. Among various methods of sternal reconstruction, there are options for repair with own tissues and various fixing devices. Mesh prostheses from titanium and its alloys are modern materials for chest defect closure. There are literature data on soft tissue structural changes after hernia repair with titanium mesh implants, but biological compatibility and advantages of titanium alloys for chest wall instability are unclear. We present 2 patients after sternal reconstruction with titanium mesh implant and subsequent partial removal of prosthesis for various reasons with morphological examination.

Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery Bypass Grafting: Sternal Wound Infection in High-Risk Population. Should Sternal Infection Scare Us?

Background

Bilateral internal mammary arteries (BIMAs) remain underused in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), especially in elderly, diabetic, and obese patients. This study investigated incidence of sternal wound infection (SWI), sternal instability (SI), and reintervention for bleeding (RIB) in this high-risk population.

Methods

A single-center retrospective observational study was performed in "Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Gilly, Belgium." A total of 319 patients undergoing CABG from December 2011 to December 2015 were included. Three main outcome measures (SWI, SI, and RIB) were investigated in obese vs nonobese, diabetic vs nondiabetic, and elderly vs younger patients.

Results

In all, 14 SWI, 11 SI, and 6 RIB were discounted. Death rate was as follows: SWI: 2/14 vs 17/305 (P = .178), SI: 2/11 vs 17/308 (P = .081), and RIB: 2/6 vs 17/313 (P = .004). In obese (n = 113) vs nonobese (n = 206) patients, there was no difference for SWI (P = .263), SI (P = .565), and RIB (P = .332). In diabetic (n = 118) vs nondiabetic (n = 201) patients, there was no difference for SWI (P = .642), SI (P = .497), and RIB (P = .298). In elderly (n = 62) vs younger (n = 257) patients, there was no difference for SWI (P = .619), SI (P = .915), and RIB (P = .385).

Conclusions

Obesity, age, and diabetes treated by insulin (or not) do not seem to be risk factors for developing SWI, SI, or RIB in patients receiving a CABG using BIMA. Nevertheless, mortality was higher in RIB group.