Why Is A 'Median Sternotomy' Used In Open Heart Surgery

And Why Is The Fracture So Hard To Heal?

A median sternotomy is the preferred procedure for open-heart bypass surgery. It offers surgeons access to the entire heart. The procedure is considered the “gold standard” in cardiac surgery. 

Although minimal Invasive heart surgery has been growing in the last years, CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) is the necessary approach for certain procedures. It is very invasive, and can lead to the following post-op effects if the chest bone is not properly fixated, and protected with additional external stabilisation:

• Swelling and inflammation/irritation could lead to deep sternal wound infection and mediastinitis. 

• Instability, non-bone-union 

• The wiring used to re-close the chest can sometimes break after a strong cough.

• Osteoporosis weakens the bone so wires break through and the fixation is gone

• General wound breakdown, the wires cutting into the chest bone leaving a space and resulting in non bone union

• Pain from an incomplete sternal healing process

The solution to the above has been found to be additional external stabilisation.

With the proper external stabilisation, proven by actual bio-mechanical sensor testing, pressure can be exerted against the chest by precisely placed cushions on either side of the chest bone, so as to push back against cough pressure, movement or other abrupt pulls, preventing wiring from breaking or cutting into the chest bone.

That way the bone fracture and wound is allowed to heal adequately because the thorax is not being strained to perform without the necessary support. 

The berating mechanism allows normal breathing but stops over-extension.

As a very helpful add-on, the slight pressure on the chest stimulates diaphragm breathing (belly breathing) which has been proven highly beneficial.

The water on the lungs (pleural effusion) can cause a separation (atelectasis) of the lung from the thorax wall. A full atelectasis is a total collapse of the lung which, if not immediately handled, is a life threatening complication.

But using the vest to put slight pressure on the chest we stimulate belly breath. That means while diaphragm breathing (belly breathing) the air is pulled into the lower lobes of the lung on either side and allows it to re-absorb the liquid which formed around it. The atelectasis can thereby be prevented.

This mechanism has been demonstrated in clinical studies presented in the "Solution" section of this website.

Pic that shows the stabilisation

Conclusion: Extensive clinical trials have proven conclusively that the Posthorax Support Vest greatly reduces complications after median sternotomies.

The Posthorax Vest is a patented product with very specific characteristics which none other has as is demonstrated in the many positive clinical trial results.

For more information please contact us: info@posthorax.com