U. Pastorino et al., SAFETY OF ABSORBABLE SUTURE FOR STERNAL CLOSURE AFTER PULMONARY OR MEDIASTINAL RESECTION RESECTION, Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 107(2), 1994, pp. 596-599
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
.