ON THE ROLE OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SUTURE MATERIAL IN THE PREVENTION OF POSTSTERNOTOMIC COMPLICATIONS IN LIGATURE OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF THE STERNUM

The objective is to study the effect of the mechanical properties of the suture material on the poststernotomic complications in the ligature osteosynthesis of the sternum in cardiac surgery practice.

Material and methods. In the period from 2008 to 2022, during heart operations under cardiopulmonary bypass, the longitudinally dissected sternum in the 1st group of patients (n= 1487) was sutured traditionally with 7-8 interrupted stitches using steel wire, the modulus of elasticity of which is much higher than that for the bone. In the 2nd group (n=758) sternum was sutured with a continuous suture with two nylon threads of polyamide nature, having a modulus of elasticity close to that of the bone. Each of them made 3-5 stitches.

Results. In the steel wire osteosynthesis group, 34 (2.3%) cases of sternal instability were observed, including 16 (1.1%) cases with the addition of deep sternal infection (DSI). After osteosynthesis of the sternum with a nylon thread with a continuous suture technique, there were no cases of instability of the sternum; 1 (0,1%) сase of DSI was observed.

Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the positive effect of the mechanical properties of the suture material on the bone tissue in the prevention of poststernotomic complications during ligature osteosynthesis of the sternum.

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