14 Clinical Trials With the Posthorax Vest
Evaluated by cardiac centers across Europe, demonstrating significant reductions in pain, sternal complications, and hospital stay.
1. Total Arterial Myocardial Revascularization using Bilateral Internal Mammary arteries and the role of postoperative sternal stabilization to reduce wound infections in a large cohort study
Marc Albert, 2019, Stuttgart, Germany
Postoperative use of the Posthorax vest significantly reduced incidence of sternal wound infections and shortened hospital stays after wound complications in patients undergoing total arterial myocardial revascularization with bilateral IMA. The study supports routine use of sternal stabilization vests to lower wound complication rates after cardiac surgery .
2. Prevention of sternal wound complications after Sternotomy: Results of a large prospective randomized Multicenter Trial
Michael Gorlitzer, 2013, Vienna, Austria
A multicenter randomized trial in 2,539 patients showed the Posthorax vest reduced deep sternal wound complications (1.04% vs 2.27%). Only patients who did not comply with vest use experienced complications. Consistent vest use was highly effective, while anticipated risk factors like diabetes were not significant .
3. A randomized trial to assess the contribution of a novel Thorax Support Vest (corset) in preventing mechanical complications of median Sternotomy
Philippe P. Caimmi, 2016, Italy
In 310 high-risk patients, Posthorax vest use significantly reduced mechanical sternal complications, improved healing, eliminated re-operations for sternal dehiscence before discharge, and reduced re-admissions. Vest users reported better quality of life, with fewer mobility, self-care, and pain limitations post-surgery .
4. Do external support devices reduce sternal wound complications after cardiac surgery?
William Tsang, 2016, UK
Reviewing six randomized controlled trials, the study found non-elastic external chest support devices, like the Posthorax vest, significantly reduced deep sternal wound complications and hospital length of stay after cardiac surgery, compared to elastic bandages or no support .
5. A newly designed Thorax Support Vest prevents Sternum instability after median Sternotomy
Michael Gorlitzer, 2009, Vienna, Austria
A randomized study of 455 patients showed the Posthorax vest group had a significantly lower rate of sternum wound complications (0.6%) versus controls (4.9% and 9.4%). Only one reoperation was needed in the vest group compared to sixteen in controls, demonstrating the vest’s effectiveness .
6. Obese Cardiac Patients: Significant reduction of deep sternal wound complications by wearing the Posthorax® Vest?
Buschmann K., 2015, Mainz, Germany
In obese patients (BMI >30) post-cardiac surgery, deep sternal wound complication rates halved with Posthorax vest use (4.7% vs 10.7%). Vest users also had shorter ICU stays and earlier mobilization. The study recommends routine vest use in obese cardiac surgery patients .
7. Comparison of Thorax support systems after median sternotomy: Evaluation of force distribution in a biomechanical analysis
M. Gorlitzer, 2009, Vienna, Austria
Biomechanical analysis in 27 post-sternotomy patients and 27 volunteers found the Posthorax vest distributed significantly higher stabilizing force than elastic bandages during breathing, coughing, and arm movement, supporting its superior clinical effectiveness in preventing sternal complications .
8. Significant reduction of deep sternal wound infections Post Cardiac Surgery by the Posthorax Vest - a single Center Observational cohort study in 2200 patients
Wagner FM, 2010, Hamburg, Germany
In a cohort of 2,224 patients, the consistent use of the Posthorax vest reduced deep wound infection rates from 2.01% to 0.88%. No patient wearing the vest constantly developed deep wound complications, indicating the vest’s strong protective effect .
9. Sternum support may prevent major atelectasis after median sternotomy
Jon Torkelson, 2012, Stockholm, Sweden
A retrospective study found a significantly lower prevalence of complete or near-complete lobar atelectasis among patients using the Posthorax vest post-sternotomy, particularly among men. No other significant differences in complications were observed, suggesting the vest may prevent major pulmonary complications .
10. The first UK experience with Posthorax® Vest - Prophylactic use results in reduced sternal wound complications following sternotomy
N. Nikolaidis, 2013, Southampton, UK
Among high-risk patients, prophylactic Posthorax vest use resulted in a lower incidence of deep sternal wound complications (0.9% vs 2.4%) despite higher comorbidity rates. Mechanical dehiscence occurred only in the non-vest group, supporting the vest’s efficacy .
11. Sternal Instability in Clinical Practice
Hans Jonsson, 2012, Stockholm, Sweden
Introduction of the Posthorax vest at Karolinska Hospital reduced deep sternal wound infection rates from 2% to 0.6% within a year, improved rehabilitation, reduced patient pain, and decreased hospital stays, especially in women. No coagulase-negative staphylococci were found in vest users with infection .
12. Perioperative management and strategies to decrease sternal wound infection
H. Löblein, 2012, Zürich, Switzerland
After implementing evidence-based perioperative practices including universal Posthorax vest use, sternal infection rates dropped: pre-sternal infections from 3.4% to 1.1% and deep sternal infections from 3.2% to 1.6%, despite increased use of bilateral internal mammary arteries .
13. Use of the Posthorax Vest in patients who underwent heart surgery during cardiac rehabilitation and its impact on functional recovery and respiration function
Silvia Di Marco, 2013, Milan, Italy
A randomized study found that wearing the Posthorax vest during cardiac rehabilitation had no negative impact on recovery of respiratory function or exercise capacity. Both vest and non-vest groups improved equally, supporting vest use during rehabilitation for all suitable patients .
14. Sternal dehiscence in patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing cardiac surgery: The value of supportive Thorax Vests
Sezai Celik, 2011, Istanbul, Turkey
Among patients with moderate/severe COPD, the combination of Robicsek sternal closure and postoperative thorax support vest lowered sternal dehiscence to 1% vs 11.5% without the vest. No deaths occurred in the vest group compared to 35.7% mortality in controls with dehiscence .
15. The Benefits of the wearing of the Posthorax® Vest
Fanni Vörös, 2021, Budapest, Hungary
After introducing the Posthorax vest to high-risk patients (obese, diabetic, COPD), reoperations for infections decreased from 2.7% to 1.8%, even as the patient group’s risk profile worsened. Expanding vest use could further reduce wound healing disorders and related costs .
All summaries and data are based on the contents of Posthorax_EBM_2024.pdf .
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