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Single stage sternal reconstruction using titanium mesh for dehiscence following open-heart surgery

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Jubilee Building, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-113-392-5786; fax: +44-113-392-5408. E-mail address: Unnikrishnan.Nair{at}leedsth.nhs.uk (U.R. Nair).

Wound complications are a well-recognised entity following median sternotomy. Soft tissue reconstruction in the form of muscle flaps generally provides adequate wound stability; nevertheless, skeletal reconstruction of the anterior chest wall is sometimes necessary. We describe a novel technique applied in three patients for reconstructing fragments of the sternum using a titanium mesh that provides a scaffold for the bony union.

Key Words: Sternum; Infection; Wound dehiscence; Complications of surgery