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Successful treatment of sternal non-union by ultrasound

James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK

*Corresponding author. 90 Meadow Vale, Northumberland Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27 0BF, UK. Tel.: +44-1912161263.

E-mail address: ipgill{at}yahoo.com (I.P.S. Gill).

We report a case of sternal non-union after open aortic valve replacement surgery in a 48-year-old man. The sternotomy was repaired using stainless steel wires and later, ‘flexigrip’ cables. He presented to us six months later complaining of persistent pain in the sternotomy site. CT-scan confirmed a sternal non-union. After consultation with the ultrasound device, and aortic valve manufacturers, we established that there was no previous similar reported case, but there were no contraindications to use of ultrasound. We started treatment using non-invasive pulsed ultrasound therapy. The non-union healed clinically and radiologically within four months. This is the first report of treatment of sternal non-union using low intensity ultrasound. This therapy appears safe and can be used as a first line of treatment for adequately stabilized sternal non-unions.

Key Words: Sternal non-union; Ultrasound; Sternotomy