Potential risk of sternal wires.
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg
; 25(5): 812-8, 2004 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15082287
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To understand the potential fracture mechanism of sternal wires, we collected extracted stainless steel sternal wires from patients with sternal dehiscence following open-heart operations. Surface alterations and fractured ends of sternal wires were inspected and analyzed.METHODS:
Eight fractured and 12 non-fractured wires extracted from five patients (closuremethod:
figure-of-eight or straight twisted; two without and three with mediastinitis) with mean implantation interval of 13.2+/-4.2 days (range 8-20 days) were studied by various techniques. The extracted wires were cleaned and the fibrotic tissues were removed. Irregularities and fractured ends were assayed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA).RESULTS:
All examined fractured wires showed the presence of severe transversal cracks and crevice corrosion. EDAX revealed aluminum oxide inclusion on the fractured surface.CONCLUSIONS:
The synergic effect of stress and poor wire quality could be the precursors of material failure for the sternal wire.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Esterno
/
Deiscência da Ferida Operatória
/
Fios Ortopédicos
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2004
Tipo de documento:
Article