What is a sternal non-union?
What is a sternal non-union?
Discussion. Sterile sternal non-union is defined as a persistent fracture of the sternum after three months without signs of healing. It is characterized by a triad of sternal instability, pain and the absence of infection [2].
What is the procedure for nonunion of a sternum?
The treatment for symptomatic sternal nonunion requires stable fixation of the bony fragments and chest wall after the debridement of all nonviable bony and soft tissue by the cardiothoracic or reconstructive surgery team.
What happens if your sternum doesn’t heal?
If an activity causes pressure or pain, stop. If your sternum doesn’t heal properly after surgery, it can cause you a lot of pain and complicate the healing process. If you aren’t sure an activity is safe, check with your surgeon first.
What causes sternal nonunion?
Two causes for sternal nonunion have been described: it can be the result of cardiac surgical intervention or trauma. Regardless of the cause, only a few studies have addressed the entity of sterile sternal nonunion and its treatment.
Can a person live without a sternum?
Removal of the sternum creates some instability to the rib cage, but most patients do well without an intact sternum. It does, however, create a large space which the overlying skin alone cannot close. The body will fill any such empty space, called dead space, with clotted blood, serum or lymph.
What is life expectancy after open heart surgery?
What Is the Life-Expectancy After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery? In general, about 90% survive five years post surgery and about 74% survive 10 years.
Does the breast bone heal after open heart surgery?
In typical fashion the surgeon will bring the breast bone back together using wire. This helps the stability of the bone during the recovery process. Around 6-8 weeks are expected for the bone to heal properly (without any complications), while recovery from an open heart is variable from person to person.
Can your personality change after open heart surgery?
When recovering from heart surgery, some patients report trouble remembering, slower mental processing and difficulty focusing. Although this condition, often referred to as “pumphead,” is usually short-lived, one study of bypass patients has suggested that the associated cognitive changes might worsen over time.