Sternal closure with an absorbable loop suture in children

Abstract

The reliability of polydioxanone (PDS) suture for sternal closure was tested on 264 consecutive sternotomies in our department from April 1987 to May 1998. The reason of sternotomy was tetralogy of Fallot in 65 cases (24.62), ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 38 cases (14. 39), atrial septal defect (ASD) in 77 cases (29.16), ASD + VSD in 23 (8.71), mitral valve replacement in 22 cases (8.33), aortic valve replacement in 10 cases (3.78) and other cardiac disorders in 29 cases (10.98). Sternal wound infection, sternal dehiscence and mediastinitis occurred in 1.51 of patients (4/264). The overall hospital mortality related to the mediastinitis was 1.13 (3/264) in the immediate postoperative period. This absorbable suture and our different technique are a safe alternative to standard sternotomy closure after pediatric cardiac surgery.