COMPARISON OF INCIDENCE OF STERNAL WOUND DEHISCENCE AFTER SIMPLE INTERRUPTED STERNAL CLOSURE VS FIGURE-OF-EIGHT STERNAL CLOSURE IN PATIENTS OF CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY

Abstract

Objective: To compare the incidence of sternal wound dehiscence between simple interrupted vs. figure-of-eight sternal closure techniques for median sternotomy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Study Design: Comparative prospective, randomized control trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Study conducted at Department of Cardiac Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Rawalpindi, from Apr to Dec 2019.

Methodology: A total of 206 patients were included in study. These patients were divided into two groups; group “A”: cases which will undergo simple interrupted sternal wire closure technique (n1=103). Group “B”: cases which will undergo figure-of-eight sternal wire closure technique (n2 = 103).

Results: There were no statistical difference in the pre-operative data of the patients. The incidence of sternal wound dehiscence in simple interrupted closure was 6.79% while in figure of eight closure technique it was noted to be 1.94%. A statistically significant difference was noted in both the closure technique (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Figure-of-eight sternal wire closure technique provides better strength and stability to sternum along with reduced incidence of sternal wound dehiscence as compare to simple interrupted wire closure.