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Cardiopulmonary bypass line sternal wrapping for protection and haemostasis

^a Division of Cardiac Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
^b Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
^c Unit of Cardiopulmonary Perfusion, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

*Corresponding author. Divisione di Cardiochirurgia, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60020 Ancona, Italy. Tel.: +39 (0)71 596 5340; fax: +39 (0)71 596 5301.

E-mail address: caratari{at}hotmail.com (C. Aratari).

Sternal marrow haemostasis is often obtained with the application of bone wax, with potential side effects pertaining to sternal wound healing. We illustrate an alternative technique which also offers some protection to sternal edges. Two lengths of tubing from the discarded cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit are cut longitudinally on one side. After sternotomy they are placed across each sternal edge and kept in position by two stitches and the spreader blades. They are removed just before sternal closure.

Key Words: Sternum; Wound infection; Mediastinal infection