Small Animal Surgery Resident The University of Illinois Champaign, Illinois
Biomechanical Comparison of Canine Median Sternotomy Closure Using FiberTape Cerclage, Nitinol Bone Staples, and Orthopedic Wire: A Cadaveric Study. Rivenburg RE1, Maxwell EA1, Bertran J1, Souza CH1, Smith B2. 1University of Florida, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Gainesville, FL; 2Arthrex, Inc, Department of Orthopedic Research, Naples, FL.
Orthopedic wire has been recommended for median sternotomy closure in dogs but carries a high rate of postoperative complications including wire stick injuries during placement, pain, seroma formation, infection, dehiscence, osteomyelitis, and implant failure. The purpose of this study is to compare stabilization of the sternum using FiberTape, nitinol bone staples, and orthopedic wire in an ex vivo canine model. We hypothesize that compared to orthopedic wire, the FiberTape and nitinol bone staples would provide comparable stabilization of the canine sternum against distraction. Sternums were collected from skeletally mature large breed dogs. Median sternotomies were performed, leaving the manubrium intact. The specimens were randomly assigned to one of three median sternotomy closure groups: stainless steel orthopedic wire in a figure-of-eight pattern, FiberTape, and DynaNite nitinol bone staples. Each specimen was laterally distracted until failure. No significant differences were observed between orthopedic wire and FiberTape with regard to displacement, yield load, maximum load, and implant failure. Orthopedic wire was found to be stiffer than FiberTape. Results from the nitinol staple group were inconclusive. Primary limitations of this study include the use of only one plane of distractive force until failure and that ex vivo results may not mirror clinical findings. The results of this study provide insight into a novel closure technique for canine median sternotomy using FiberTape, warranting additional biomechanical and clinical studies.