What is sternotomy dehiscence?

Sternal dehiscence is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. Sternal refixation, performed by simple rewiring or techniqual modification of rewiring as described by Robicsek, can fail, overall when the bone quality is poor or the sternum is completely destroyed.

What causes sternal dehiscence?

Several retrospective and prospective studies have identified factors relating to increasing risk of sternal dehiscence. Patient risk factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic cough from tobacco abuse, steroid therapy, hypertension, immunosuppression, and advanced age.

What is the procedure for nonunion of a sternum?

The treatment for symptomatic sternal nonunion requires stable fixation of the bony fragments and chest wall after the debridement of all nonviable bony and soft tissue by the cardiothoracic or reconstructive surgery team.

What is sternotomy wound infection?

sternotomy wound infection is one of the most common surgical site infections following cardiac surgery; typically diagnosed within 30 days of surgery (early), but can be diagnosed well beyond initial postoperative period, sometimes months or even years after surgery (late) 4.

How do you prevent a sternal wound infection?

Topical Antibiotics Topical antibiotics should be applied to the cut edges of the sternum on opening and before closing all cardiac surgical procedures involving a sternotomy. Topical antibiotics applied to the cut edges of the sternum have been found to significantly reduce the incidence of sternal wound infections.

Can your sternum shift?

A study in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation noted that in the first few months after cardiac surgery, the sternum may move slightly during activities that involve the upper body. While this movement is slight, it may cause popping sounds in the sternum as the structures shift.

How do you treat an infected sternal wound?

Treatment for a sternal wound infection includes debridement, sternal wire removal, drainage, irrigation, open packing, prolonged antibiotic administration (systemic and intranasal), and reconstruction of the site with a muscle flap.

What causes sternal infection?

Most sternal wound infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis.

What causes swelling and lumps in the sternum?

Injuries to either the sternum bone or the overlying connective tissues can cause swelling in the sternal region. Fractures of the sternum bone (e.g, in motor vehicle and other high-impact accidents) can cause a swelling to appear over the fracture site due to inflammation of the overlying connective tissues.

How big is the hard lump on my sternum?

Go to latest post 18 replies, last reply 7 months ago. Found a hard lump on the bone of my sternum- concerned? I’m a 22 year old female and today I noticed for the first time a small lump (about the size of a pea) near the centre of my chest. It feels like bone and is on my sternum.

Can a tumor on the sternum be benign?

Such masses found in the sternum are often benign or non-cancerous. A cancerous tumor around the sternum usually occurs due to a malignancy’s spread from a neighboring structure like the lungs. Either tumor type may or may not feature chest pain and fever as additional symptoms, depending on the size and precise location of the mass.

What causes a bump at the intersection of your collarbone and sternum?

A: The most likely cause for a bump in that location is osteoarthritis in your sternoclavicular joint. That joint is exactly in the location you described — at the intersection of your breastbone (sternum) and collarbone (clavicle).