A comparative study of two operations of sternal fracture

Objective To compare the efficacies of the treatment of sternal fracture with wire fixation and the titanium sternal fixation system. Methods Thirty patients with sternal fracture from May 2003 to July 2009 were followed up. Among them,there were 20 patients with wire fixation (wire fixation group), 10 patients with the titanium sternal fixation system (titanium sternal fixation system group). The conditions before, during and after operation,complications and effects were compared to evaluate the effieaeies of titanium sternal fixation system. Results The operative time of titanium sternal fixation system group and wire fixation group were (67.0 ± 7.9) min and (90.0 ± 8.6) min, the blood loss were (11.0 ± 5.4) ml and (48.0 ± 8.4)ml,the duration of drainage were (0.5 ± 0.4) days and (1.9 ± 0.7) days,the amount of drainage were (1.9 ± 1.3) ml and (19.0 ± 4.6) ml, the average hospitalized days were (2.3 ± 0.5) days and (6.9 ± 0.9) days, the duration of pain were (1.5 ± 0.5) days and (3.8 ± 1.1) days, there were all significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). The rates of wound infection, delayed union or nonunion, re-fracture,plate fracture or plate shift of wire fixation group were 5% (1/20) ,5% (1/20) ,5% (1/20), 10% (2/20). But the rates of titanium sternal fixation system group were 0, there were all significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The treatment of sternal fracture with titanium sternal fixation system is a simple and stable fixation,high bone union rate and few complications,especially for the sternal fracture. Key words: Sternum; Fracture fixation; internal; Bone wires; Titanium sternal fixation system