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Interlocking Sternotomy: Initial Experience

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

For reprint information contact: Arkalgud Sampath Kumar, MCh Tel: 91 11 2658 8889 Fax: 91 11 2658 8663 Email: asampath_kumar{at}hotmail.com Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.

An interlocking sternotomy using a lazy-S-shaped incision was performed in 91 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures (group A). The results were compared with those of 77 patients (group B) who underwent a standard sternotomy by the same surgical team. In group A, the incidence of sternal instability was 2.27% (2/88) versus 8.21% (6/73). No dehiscence or mediastinitis was noted in group A, whereas 6.85% (5/73) in group B had this complication. Analysis of diabetics revealed no sternal complication in group A compared to 50% (3/6) in group B. The interlocking sternotomy significantly reduced the incidence of sternal instability and helped to prevent sternal dehiscence and mediastinitis. Use of this safe, simple, and reproducible technique is strongly recommended, especially in diabetics.

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