RESUMO
An 80-year-old man had high serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) concentration and fibrous thickening of the soft tissue mass surrounding the region from the abdominal aorta to the bilateral iliac arteries, suggestive of IgG4-related periaortitis. He presented to our emergency department with sudden-onset abdominal pain and lumbago. Computed tomography revealed a ruptured abdominal aorta. He was a poor candidate for open surgery due to his hostile abdomen. Therefore, endovascular aneurysm repair was performed. No consensus about the surgical indication for IgG4-related arterial disease has been reached yet. We believe that a novel indicator is needed for this disease.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: We examined the impact of the bioresorbable osteosynthesis sternal pin (Super Fixsorb 30) on sternal healing after median sternotomy. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent aortic surgery through median sternotomy between January 2006 and March 2009 were analysed. Sternal pins were utilized in 36 patients in addition to the standard closure of the sternum with Ethibond sutures (Group A), and 27 patients received no pins with the standard Ethibond sternal closure (Group B). The occurrence of transverse sternal dehiscence, anterior-posterior displacement and complete fusion of the sternum were evaluated by a computed tomography scan. The cross-sectional cortical bone density area (CBDA) of the sternum was examined to evaluate the osteoconductivity of the sternal pin over a 12-month period. RESULTS: There was no sternal displacement (0%) observed in Group A at discharge. Meanwhile, five displacements (18.5%) were observed in Group B (P = 0.007). The complete sternal fusion rates at 12 months postoperatively were 100% in Group A, and 21.6% in Group B (P < 0.001). A significant increase in the CBDA was observed in Group A (P < 0.001; between CBDA at discharge and 12 months postoperatively). CONCLUSIONS: The Super Fixsorb 30 sternal pin reduced an anterior-posterior sternal displacement and facilitated an earlier sternal fusion. The pin may have the potential to promote osteogenesis.