Michael S. Wong

Sternal Closure With Rigid Plate Fixation Versus Wire Closure: A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial

BACKGROUND Rigid bone fixation is the standard of care for all bone reconstructions except that after sternotomy. Sternal reconstruction after median sternotomy using rigid fixation with plates may improve bone healing and reduce pain when compared with wire cerclage. METHODS One-hundred forty patients at six centers who were determined preoperatively to be at high risk for sternal wound complications were randomly assigned to sternal closure with rigid plate fixation (n=70) or wire cerclage (n=70). Sternal healing was evaluated at 3 or 6 months by a core laboratory using computed tomography. Pain and function were evaluated at postoperative day 3 through discharge, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS Sternal healing was superior in rigid plate fixation patients at both 3 and 6 months. Mean computed tomography scores in the rigid plate fixation and wire cerclage groups at 3 months were 1.7±1.1 and 0.9±0.8 (p=0.003). At 6 months, the scores were 3.2±1.6 and 2.2±1.1, respectively (p=0.01). At 6 months, 70% of rigid plate fixation patients had achieved sternal union, compared with 24% of conventional wire cerclage patients (p=0.003). Pain scores and narcotic usage were lower in rigid plate fixation patients. Significant differences in pain scores were observed at 3 weeks for total pain (p=0.020) and pain with coughing (p=0.0084) or sneezing (p=0.030). Complication rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Sternal reconstruction using rigid fixation with plates improved bone healing and reduced early postoperative pain compared with wire cerclage.

Renal Transplant Wound Complications in the Modern Era of Obesity

BACKGROUND Obesity is a known risk factor for wound complications following kidney transplantation (KTX), and obese transplant candidates are often encouraged to lose weight. The implications of this weight loss for post-KTX wound healing and morbidity have not been examined. Our aim was to study potential risk factors for post-KTX wound complications, with a specific focus on a history of significant weight loss. METHODS Single-center retrospective review of all KTX recipients ≥ 18 y performed 04/2004-03/2009. We studied potential donor-, transplant-, and recipient-related risk factors for wound complications by univariate and multivariate analyses. Graft and patient survival comparisons were done by Kaplan-Meier curves and two-sided log-rank test. RESULTS Overall wound complication incidence among the 487 study recipients was 6.4%. Significant independent risk factors for wound complications were BMI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.14 per 1 kg/m(2) increase), and history of significant weight loss (OR = 13.46), peri-KTX transfusion (OR = 5.42), and desensitization (OR = 60.34). Wound complications had no significant impact on graft and patient survival. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates for the first time that besides BMI, pre-KTX desensitization, and peri-KTX transfusion, a history of significant pre-KTX weight loss is also an independent risk factor for post-KTX wound complications (potentially at least in part due to body contour changes resulting in an unfavorable abdominal panniculus). Further study of KTX candidates who have lost a significant amount of weight is warranted to (1) identify the exact causes for their increased propensity for complications and (2) devise measures to minimize added cost and morbidity. Finally, our findings suggest that the impact of weight loss on the outcomes of non-transplant operations also warrants further investigation.

Sternal plating to correct an unusual complication of the Nuss procedure: erosion of a pectus bar through the sternum.

We present erosion of a pectus bar through the sternum in a patient with Marfan syndrome. The complication as well as a novel technique for sternal reconstruction are reviewed.

Use of SternaLock Plating System in Acute Treatment of Unstable Traumatic Sternal Fractures

Optimal surgical treatment of unstable sternal fractures is controversial. Wiring provides suboptimal fixation and adaptations of existing non-sternum specific plating systems may be dangerous when rapid sternal reentry is required. We present our experience with the sternal specific fixation system, SternaLock (Biomet Microfixation Inc, Jacksonville, FL), in the acute treatment of transverse sternal body fractures in 2 patients who sustained significant blunt anterior chest wall trauma. SternaLock provides the rigid sternal fixation necessary for reliable fracture healing while offering advantages over other systems with regards to ease of use and safety.

Panniculectomy in end-stage renal disease: Six-year experience of performing panniculectomy in preparation for renal transplant

BackgroundPatients with end-stage renal disease evaluated for renal transplantation are frequently declined secondary to obesity and decreased functional status. As a result, many of these patients lose weight intentionally in an effort to gain candidacy on the transplant waiting list. This frequently produces a panniculus encompassing the lower abdominal surgical site used for renal transplantation. These patients are declined for renal transplantation secondary to predictable wound-healing complications. Materials and MethodsWe previously identified significant weight loss (>10 kg) before renal transplantation as a risk factor for wound-healing complications after kidney transplant. Since that time, we have successfully performed 21 panniculectomies in renal transplant candidates (5 men and 16 women) with an average age of 55 years (range, 27–67 years) and an average body mass index of 30.2 kg/m2 (range, 24.5–38.7 kg/m2) after significant weight loss, with an average maximum weight loss before panniculectomy of 37.7 kg (range, 5.5–83.2 kg), and median body mass index decrease before panniculectomy of 14 kg/m2 (range, 2.0–23.6 kg/m2). ResultsWe observed minor wound-healing complications (cellulitis or superficial wound separation) in 8 patients (38%), major wound-healing complications (hematoma, seroma, or unplanned return to the operating room) in 3 patients (14%), and no medical complications (defined as urinary tract infection, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis, central venous access loss, or myocardial infarction). Seventeen patients have been relisted on the transplant waiting list. Of the patients who have not been relisted on the transplant waiting list, no patient had his or her candidacy delayed secondary to complications of their panniculectomy. Of the patients who have been relisted, 6 have undergone transplantation. Of these 6 patients, no one has experienced wound-healing complications, 1 patient experienced delayed graft function and 1 patient experienced mild transaminitis resolved by discontinuing statin therapy. ConclusionsPanniculectomies in preparation for renal transplant may be performed in patients with end-stage renal disease with an acceptable complication rate, converting previously ineligible patients into eligible candidates for kidney transplant. It also seems those who undergo panniculectomy before kidney transplant may expect to have lower rates of wound complications after their transplant had they not had a panniculectomy.

Rigid sternal fixation versus modified wire technique for poststernotomy closures: A retrospective cost analysis

Background Rigid sternal fixation (RSF) has been shown to reduce sternal wound complications in high-risk patients. However, the higher initial cost continues to deter its use. This study evaluates the cost of caring for high-risk sternotomy patients who underwent RSF compared with those who underwent sternal closure with a modified wire technique (MWT). Methods A retrospective single institution review of high-risk patients who underwent MWT (n = 45) and RSF (n = 30) for primary sternal closure from 2006 to 2009 was conducted. Total hospital cost, revenue, and net cost associated with surgery and subsequent care were analyzed. Results Overall rates of wound dehiscence and wound infections (superficial and deep) were higher in MWT patients (n = 14, 13, and 7, respectively) than RSF patients (n = 3, 2, and 0, respectively; P < 0.05). Modified wire technique patients also required more operations (mean ± SEM: 0.4 ± 0.1 vs 0.1 ± 0.1; P = 0.045), and had longer follow-up time (55.0 ± 9.1 vs 13.4 ± 10.5 days; P = 0.004). Overall, the hospital suffered a greater loss caring for MWT patients (US

Photographic standards for the massive weight loss patient

18,903 ± 2,160) than RSF patients (US

Panniculectomy in preparation for renal transplantation: a new indication for an old procedure to reduce renal transplantation-associated wound complications.

8,935 ± 2,647). Modified wire technique patients who developed a complication had higher costs associated with their operative hospitalization, outpatient care, and home health than RSF patients (total net loss: US

Post-bariatric body contouring surgery after weight loss: Lessons learned from an obesity epidemic in the United States

41,436 ± 7327 vs US

Late Presentation of Poststernotomy Mediastinitis 15 Years After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

10,612 ± 4,258; P = 0.034). Conclusions In high-risk patients, RSF is associated with lower rates of infections, including the “never event” mediastinitis, compared with MWT. Moreover, despite the initial higher cost, RSF affords an overall lower cost of care compared with MWT in patients at high-risk for developing sternal complications.