SAFETY OF ABSORBABLE SUTURE FOR STERNAL CLOSURE AFTER PULMONARY OR MEDIASTINAL RESECTION RESECTION

The reliability of polyglyconate monofilament (Maxon) suture for stern al closure,vas tested on 216 consecutive sternotomies, performed on 20 8 patients in our department from January 1986 to December 1990. The r eason of sternotomy was primary lung cancer in 34 cases (16%), lung me tastases in 127 (59%), and disorders of the thymus in 55 (25%). Mean a ge was 38 years (range 3 to 78 years); multiple lung resections were p erformed in 102 patients (average 7 lesions, range 2 to 30); maximum e xtent of the operation was pneumonectomy in 2 cases, lobectomy in 53, segmentectomy in 27, and wedge resection in 74. Prior chemotherapy had been administered in 75 cases (35%). A second sternotomy was performe d in 8 cases. No cases of sternal dehiscence, sternal infection, or em pyema were observed, after a median follow-up of 27 months. Overall pe rioperative mortality was 0.9% (2/216). Our series demonstrates the sa fety of polyglyconate monofilament (Maxon) suture for sternal closure. Absorbable sutures appear to be a safe alternative to steel wire clos ure in patients undergoing extended pulmonary or mediastinal resection .