Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Novel Repair of Clamshell Thoracotomy Sternal Dehiscence after Lung Transplant: A Case Report

  • John O. Barron (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic) ;
  • Nethra Jain (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic) ;
  • Mujtaba Mubashir (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic) ;
  • Haytham Elgharably (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic) ;
  • Daniel P. Raymond (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic) ;
  • Dean P. Schraufnagel (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic)
  • Received : 2023.08.02
  • Accepted : 2023.11.10
  • Published : 2024.03.05
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Abstract

Bilateral transverse thoracosternotomy, or "clamshell" thoracotomy, can be complicated by dehiscence. A 65-year-old male underwent lung transplantation via clamshell thoracotomy, with subsequent sternal dehiscence on postoperative day 11. Upon repair, the previous sternal wires had pulled through, so a Sternal Talon connected to a Recon Talon was utilized to re-approximate the inferior sternum. On follow-up at 3 months, the patient recovered well. Use of the Sternal Talon provides an effective technique for repairing transverse sternal dehiscence.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors of this paper are thankful to Brian Kohlbacher for his assistance with figure preparation.

References

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