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Adam Pick - Heart Valves Author & Blogger
Adam Pick
Double Heart Valve Surgery Patient
and Author of The Patient's Guide
To Heart Valve Surgery


> Read My Story Here


Sternum Wires And Heart Surgery (AKA Sternal Wires)

Blog Topics: Sternum Wires; Sternal Wires; Cracked Chest; Broken Sternum; Heart Surgery; Xray; Median Sternotomy

Although minimally invasive procedures are becoming more prevalent (percutaneous, robotics) in the heart valve surgery community, open heart surgery is still required in most cases involving heart valve repair and heart valve replacement surgery.

That said, the sternum must be broken via median sternotomy.

Yes, I know.

The sound of that for a patient or caregiver is tough to contemplate. I remember asking my cardiologist, “Ya ya ya ya mean that you’re going to crack my chest?” (That was a purposeful stutter intended to create drama by the way.)

Once you get over the fear, the reality sets. You think to yourself as you rub your chest, “Oh my gawwwwwwd. My sternum is going to be split! My surgeon is going to saw through my breast bone!”

Then comes the ultimate question, “How the heck are you going to keep my chestplate together once you fix my heart?”

Sternum Wires - Sternal Wires

The answer to that is sternum wires (also known as sternal wires).

As a double heart valve surgery patient, I can relate to this all too well!

FYI, the picture below is me one week after surgery. Obviously there are no sternum wires to be seen. Just a nice, sexy scar that measures nine inches. (So you know, my scar is almost invisible these days. Click here for my heart valve surgery pictures.)

Heart Surgery Patient Scar Picture

Again, sternum wires (aka sternal wires) are used to close the breastbone following the surgical procedure on the heart. The chest is then closed with special internal or external stitches.

Interesting point to note… My incisional scar (on my skin) was not stitched together.  That’s right. No stitches on my incision! Instead, Dr. Vaughn Starnes used a very strong type of glue to make the skin attach.  Maybe that’s why my scar is barely visible these days.

I hope this helps explain how your chestbone is re-positioned and secured following open heart surgery. The trick is in the sternum wires (aka sternal wires).

If you would like to know more about the recovery from heart surgery, please click here.

Keep on tickin!

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the opportunities and challenges of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

>> Additional Blogs About Heart Valve Surgery:


2 Responses to “Sternum Wires And Heart Surgery (AKA Sternal Wires)”

  1. Patti Fogel Says:

    Thank you Adam for the VERY helpful information. My dad had what was suppose to be quad bypass yesterday (ended up being only triple) but he didn’t want to know any details. I do. Thanks so much.

    Best Regards,
    Patti Fogel

  2. Dino Avradis Says:

    Hi Adam, Thank you for all the information on your website.
    I had a triple bypass 5 months ago, everything went well except one problem with my sternum. Today I had xrays and I’ve been told that the the wires on the lower sternum are loose. I feel some crackling noise in the chest and I need to know if it is serious and if I need another rewiring procedure ? Or can I live with it without any further complications ?
    Awaiting for your reply.
    Best Regards
    Dino

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All rights reserved. Use of this website, Heart-Valve-Surgery.com assumes acceptance of the terms herein. All logos, pictures and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. This website has been developed and presented by Adam Pick, author of "The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery." Patient's stories herein, and the language used regarding heart valve replacement and heart valve repair, is intended to inform and educate. HOWEVER, it does not imply that you or anyone else will receive the same outcome. As with any medical procedure, results will vary among individuals, and there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing. Adam Pick does not offer medical advice on this website. This information about valve replacement and repair is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The transmission of this information does not create any relationship between you and Adam Pick. Adam Pick does not guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any information available at or from this transmission.
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