Sternal wound dehiscence after median sternotomy: An alternative closure technique.

The conventional technique to close the sternal wound is characterized by the cerclage using steel wires.2 This procedure, in patient older than 65 years old, with a higher risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis, is traumatic and could lead to dehiscence of sternal wound, with or without mediastinitis.3 In our experience, after a sternal wound dehiscence in a high risk patient, we used an alternative sternal closure using a Goretex strips that protect the intercostal spaces parasternally. We close the sternal wound with the steel wires, but, we add an intercostal space reinforcement parasternally to avoid other dehiscence. [Extracted from the article]