Median sternotomy is, by far, the most popular and the most commonly used incision in cardiac surgical procedures. The main advantages of median sternotomy are the speediness in opening and closing, the familiarity to many surgeons, and the outstanding exposure for the heart and anterior mediastinal lesions.
Major post operative complications such as dehiscence, mediastinitis, osteomyelitis, sternal wound infection (SWI), and sternal displacement rarely occur after sternotomies. On the other hand, though, when such complications occur, they result in considerable morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization.
There is a wide variety of methods for assessment of sternal stability after closure of median sternotomy. Ultrasonography is an emerging imaging modality used for early detection of sternal instability providing a chance for early management and prevention of devious complications of median sternotomy.
AIM OF THE WORK:
The aim of this study was to assess ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for sternal instability in patients undergoing median sternotomy with wire cerclage closure.