Sharjeel Abbas, Saira Gul, Adeel Abbas, Madiha Iqbal, Tipu Khan, Jawad Sajid Khan.
Figure-of-8 sternal closure vs simple interrupted sternal closure in reducing sternal dehiscence in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Pak Heart J Jan ;50(2):94-9.

Objective: To compare the frequency of sternal wound dehiscence in patients undergoing CABG with figure-of-8 vs simple interrupted sternal closure. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial consisted of patients of either gender aged 40-70 years, undergoing elective CABG at Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan, from 17th July 2012 to 27th August 2012 . These consented patients were randomly grouped for figure of-8 (Group A) and simple interrupted sternal wire closure (Group B). Demographical data, diabetes mellitus and smoking, cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping time and postoperative sternal dehiscence were recorded.Patients were observed at 2 weeks follow up. Result: About 200 patients with 100 in each group, were included with meanage of 52.92+-7.9 years, male to female ratio of 3.4:1, mean weight of 72.155+-9.6 and average height of 166.72 cms, while BSA was 1.81+-0.14 kg/m . Diabetes Mellitus was found in 95 patients while 70 patients were smokers. Mean CPB time was 101.035+-35.7 (range 50-235 min) and cross clamp time 54.955+-21.4 min. There were 10 sternal dehiscence cases: 2 in Group A and 8 in Group B. Five patients were asymptomatic and without infection. Dehiscence was found in elderly, diabetic, overweight patients with increased CPB and Cross clamp times. Group A had less frequency of dehiscence. Conclusion: Applying figure of 8 sternal steel wires significantly reduced incidence of sternal wound dehiscence in CABG patients significantly.

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