Sternal malunion fixation using a Titanium Sternal Fixation System in a diabetic patient. The first of its kind in Scotland

Introduction

A 54-year-old male was referred to our unit following a Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. His past medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus for which he was on oral hypoglycaemic agents and subcutaneous insulin. He underwent a coronary angiogram that revealed severe triple vessel disease in: (1) the left anterior descending artery; (2) intermediate artery; (3) right coronary artery. The patient also had an occluded distal circumflex artery.

At the time of angiography, the patient had an estimated ejection fraction of about 35%. He was referred to the care of the cardiac surgeons for consideration of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

He successfully underwent a quadruple vessel bypass using a bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) technique. This involves using both internal thoracic arteries as a Y-graft and sequential anastomosis to the target vessel. The closure of his sternum was performed using stainless steel wires (USP size 6) in a modified Robicsek technique [Figure 1] given his history of diabetes. This involves placing stainless steel wires parasternally on both sides. The initial wire is passed via the manubrium through the second intercostal space, forming a ring. This is continued for the succeeding intercostal spaces. Transverse parasternal wires are then placed proximal to distally allowing horizontal and vertical stabilization. He was discharged on postoperative day 6 after satisfactory progression^[1]. On his journey home, the taxi he was involved in a near collision necessitating a sudden stop. He recalled an audible click on the tugging action of the seatbelt and noted increase movement in his sternum. He was referred following concerns of a non-healing sternal wound that was treated conservatively in the community that was worst on lifting objects and affected his sleep.

Figure 1. Chest X-ray showing sternal wires

Case report

He described abnormal clicking and movement of his sternum when turning in bed. There were no discharging sinuses as the skin had healed well. All other examination findings were normal.

His blood results revealed a HbA1c of 110 mmol/mol (normal range 20-42) indicating poor glycemic control. All other blood results were within normal limits.

A computed tomography scan revealed noted the displacement of the two sternal edges with a midline defect confirming malunion of the sternum and he was consented for sternal fixation. He was also referred to a diabetologist for optimisation of his glycemic control [Figure 2].

Figure 2. Computed tomography scan of thorax showing non-union of sternum (red arrow - sternal malunion)

Procedure

The patient was prepped and draped in standard fashion. A midline incision was made on the skin. The sternal wires were removed and sent for microbiology analysis. Further debridement of devitalised tissues was performed with no use of bone wax. A specimen of bone was sent for microbiology.

Using a depth gauge, the sternal edges adjacent to each rib was measured for placement of the plates. Sternal reducing forceps was then used to reduce the cranial and caudal ends of the sternum. A template was used to gauge the size and contours needed prior to shaping of the eventual plate using bending pliers and a rod cutter. Two other plates were inserted to provide satisfactory fixation of the sternum. Bone grafts from the patients iliac crest was used to enhance the osteosynthesis. The sternum was then irrigated with saline. The pectoral muscles were sutured using interrupted Vicryl sutures, with continuous Vicryl for the subcutaneous layer closure and skin using Monocryl. The patient was extubated in theatre and taken to the wards.

Postoperatively, the patient recovered well with minimal oral opioids and was discharged home on postoperative day 3 [Figure 3].

Figure 3. Postoperative chest X-ray showing union and fixation of sternum with titanium sternal fixation system

Microbiology results revealed inflamed fibrous tissue with a fibrinous reaction from the sternal debridement and no signs of infection or malignancy.

He was seen at the routine follow-up clinic 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively with no further complaints of pain.

Discussion

Since the advents of the SYNTAX trial (2009)^[2], CABGs have been the mainstay of treatment of triple vessel diseases involving the left main stem as it had a lower rate of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event at 1 year. Most CABG patients across the UK (90%) receive a "standard" operation with a single internal thoracic artery and vein grafts for revascularisation with excellent postoperative outcomes^[3]. Progressive vein graft failure however is inevitable in these groups^[4]. A meta-analysis by Yi et al.^[5] highlighted that the benefits of BITA that continued to increase with duration of follow-up with freedom from redo surgery and survival^[5]. A study by Nasso et al.^[6] showed the superiority of a dual arterial technique over a single arterial graft technique at 2 years.

Critics of BITA however highlight its limitation with the theoretical increased risk of sternal wound infections due to the devascularisation of the sternum. Grossi et al.^[7] highlighted the risk of devascularizing the sternum as an independent risk factor for sternal wound infection development^[7]. With improving techniques of skeletonising the internal thoracic arteries however, many other studies have shown that there is no increased risk of BITA over single internal thoracic artery even in diabetic patients regardless of whether the surgery was on-pump or off-pump^[8-11].

Another risk factor for sternal dehiscence is poor sternal closure. Sternal closure stability plays a pivotal role in preventing this. Our patient underwent a modified Robicsek closure which is described as sternal closure technique that provides the greatest stability^[12]. This consists of placing interlocking steel wires parasternal bilaterally and then including them in transverse sternal wires providing stability against vertical and horizontal forces.

Poor glycemic control in diabetics has also been identified as an independent risk factor for sternal dehiscence. Optimisation of preoperative levels of HbA1c and blood glucose significantly reduced the rate of sternal wound complications in patients undergoing CABG^[13].

Sternal non-union is defined as sternal pain with clicking, instability, or both for more than 6 months in the absence of infection as present in outpatient. The use of plating for sternal non-union is relatively new. Hendrickson et al.^[14] first described its use in a case series of 6 patients with debilitating pain who reported improved quality of life post-plating with radiological evidence of fully healed sternotomies on follow up. Two patients developed bursae which settled on removal of the plates. Since then, multiple instances of sternal plate fixation have been used in the literature. A recent pilot study even advocated its use for primary closure of the sternum^[15].

Vos et al.^[16] conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with sternal dehiscence and compared outcomes of standard repair (steel wire cerclage and pectoralis muscle reconstruction) vs. titanium plating. The sternal plating group had greater sternal stability compared to the standard closure.

Kim et al.^[17] conducted a similar review of their patients. In their cohort of 2,769 patients, 36 patients developed deep sternal wound complications and 17 underwent titanium plate fixation following debridement of the sternum. Almost half of the patients who underwent plating were diabetic (n = 8). Eight patients had undergone conservative therapy (vacuum dressings and soft tissue debridement) prior to internal fixation with a titanium plate. One patient died following multi-organ failure secondary to mediastinitis that was present prior to plating with 2 requiring wound revisions due to aseptic wound dehiscence confined to the soft tissue. Another patient contracted tuberculosis and warranted an extended in-hospital stay. They concluded that rigid plate sternal fixation was a good option particularly for patients who require aggressive sternal resection.

The titanium plates also cost more than the other traditional methods of management including irrigation debridement and rewiring. However, considering its effectiveness, the shortened postoperative stay, improved outcomes and reduced readmission rates may reap its benefits.

Given the improvements in cardiac surgical techniques, sternal non-union remains an uncommon complication, albeit with significant morbidity. A larger multicentre trial may be warranted to verify its benefits over other modalities.

In conclusion, sternal fixation is a viable method to treat sternal malunion. Larger studies are needed to highlight its benefits compared to conventional therapy.