Biomechanical analysis of the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device |
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| Authors: | Ryan M Wilson Paul A Ghareeb W Thomas McClellan Ashley N Boustany |
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| Institution: | 1.University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Lexington, Kentucky;;2.Emory University School of Medicine Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia;;3.West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Morgantown, West Virginia;;4.University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Lexington, Kentucky, USA |
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| Abstract: | OBJECTIVE:To determine whether the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device (Penn United, USA) is mechanically superior to the current standard in sternotomy closure.DESCRIPTION:Unstable sternal closure using traditional steel-wire cerclage can increase postoperative pain, bony cut-through and wound dehiscence. The authors present the Figure 8 sternal fixation device to minimize these complications. Biomechanical properties of the device were compared with conventional steel wire sternal repair.EVALUATION:Using two constructs of both FlatWire and steel wire, pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact and cut-through were compared. Samples were tested to 500,000 cycles or failure. Cyclic comparisons were performed using log-rank t tests and Student’s t tests for cut-through analysis. FlatWires were found to have superior biomechanical properties in all categories tested.CONCLUSION:The FlatWire provides superior biomechanical properties compared with conventional steel wire, which may lead to reduced sternal wound complications. |
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| Keywords: | Figure 8 FlatWire Sternal fixation Sternal wound Sternotomy |
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