Sternal incision suture using a polymer cable

摘要

A sternotomy using a fastening mechanism capable of maintaining adequate osseous compression across the sternotomy (within a desired range) despite a range of external forces and significant lateral distraction due to these external forces Sutures are performed properly. The sternum fragments are arranged in a side-by-side arrangement and placed around the longitudinal seam and secured with elastic elements. The elastic element is pulled to a desired tension to compress the sternum to a desired compression range. The elastic element then allows for multiple cycles of physiological distraction force across the sternum while maintaining contact pressure across the longitudinal seam within a desired range for a period of time sufficient for bone healing. Expand and contract. Preferably, the elastic element is a polymer cable comprising an elongated elastic polymer core coaxially surrounded by a sheath woven of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene strands. [Selection diagram] FIG.