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. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;91:597-9) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons