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Initial Report of a New Suture Cerclage Tape for Sternal Closure
  • Paul DiGiorgi
Paul DiGiorgi
Lee Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate a new, flexible suture cerclage tape for sternal closure after cardiac surgery. DESCRIPTION: Fiber Tape (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) suture cerclage has been successfully utilized in the stabilization of long bone fractures. For sternal closure, it is placed similarly to wire cerclage. Uniquely, it allows a measurable amount of tension to be applied to the sternum and it is at least twice as strong as stainless steel wire. We hypothesized this new flexible tape would provide short term safety and efficacy, as measured by incidence of deep sternal wound infection. EVALUATION: We performed a retrospective, single center analysis of adult patients undergoing sternotomy closure with FT. The observed incidence of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) was compared to the expected incidence calculated through the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) risk calculator. A total of 45 patients were closed with FT. No patients suffered DSWI. Thirty of the 45 patients had STS risk calculations. For these 30 patients, the expected rate of DSWI was 0.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite study limitations, FT appears to be a safe method for sternal closure.