Comparison of the short and medium term efficacy of ortholox UHMWPE sternal cerclage band system and figure-of-8 wire sternum closure technique in patients at risk for sternal dehiscence

Abstract

Aim: In this retrospective study, it was aimed to compare the short and medium term efficacy of Sternal Cerclage Band System and Figure-of-8 wire closure technique in open heart surgery patients with risk for sternal dehiscence. Material and Methods: In total, 320 open heart surgery patients with risk for sternal dehiscenceattempting to Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University Medical Faculty Hospital between 28.12.2017 and 11.12.2021were subjected to this restrospective study. Since the study is retrospective, randomization and randomization procedures are not in question.The patients included in the study were divided into 2 groups as Steel Wire (standard procedureFigure 8 wiretechnique), and the Sternal Cerclage (sternum was closed with the Ortholox® Sternal Cerclage Band System). Baseline characteristics and outputs of patient groups were compared. Results: Age and body mass index (BMI) means were significantly higher in Cerclage Band group (p<0.05). 53.8% of Cerclage Band group and 38.1% of Steel Wire group had obesity, and the difference was significant (p<0.05). Diabetes mellitus (DM) rate was 36.3% in Steel Wire group and 48.4% in Cerclage Band with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). In Cerclage Band group, 42.5% of patients were smoker, whereas 3.8% of Steel Wire group were smokers (p<0.05). Length of hospital stay, sternal stability and infection after surgery rates were similar between patient groups with statistically insignificant differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although there are differences between Cerclage Band and Steel Wire, results and outputs were similar, and showed that Sternal Cerclage Band System is a safe and useful technique in open heart surgery patients with risk for sternal dehiscence.