In this article, we described an alternative way for complicated sternal closure by using a longitudinal plate fixation technique. A retrospective analysis between January 2008 and September 2011 was performed on patients who received primary longitudinal rigid plate fixation after sternotomy. Seven patients (3 males, 4 females; mean age 64.4±14.3 years; range 30 to 74 years) with multiple sternal fractures or near-total loss after sternal debridement were defined as having high-risk for sternal dehiscence. We performed 10 longitudinally sternal plate refixation in these patients with sternal nonunion. Two patients (29%) had near-total sternal loss, while five patients (71%) had multiple sternal fractures. The patients suffering from sternal instability were operated using the titanium plates and steel wires for the anterior chest wall. Postoperative chest pain disappeared in all patients with only minor discomfort in the long-term. Longitudinal sternal plating and steel wires are an effective option for the treatment in patients with near-total sternal loss and multiple sternal fractures. This technique which is easy to use seems to be associated with fewer complications.

Keywords : Dehiscence; fixation; plate; sternum