Does lower sternal reinforcement improve the stability of sternal closure?
These data show that the lower sternum is the site of greatest instability and that reinforcement of this area with an additional wire effectively stabilizes the closure. Figure-of-eight wires are not superior to simple wires.
The administration of blood per se did not lead to increased postoperative infection. Clinicians should reconsider withholding blood transfusion in patients solely owing to concerns of predisposition to infection.