Home › Cell Biology › Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling
Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling

DOI: 10.3791/52124-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Plan preoperative CT imaging for sternal fracture classification
  • ✓ Perform subperiosteal dissection and fracture reduction safely
  • ✓ Apply locked titanium plates with depth-limited drilling technique
  • ✓ Stabilize transverse, oblique, and longitudinal sternal fractures
Protocol

Here we present a method to stabilize sternal fractures by using locked titanium plates in a low profile design. Performing subperiosteal dissection along the sternum while reducing the fracture, using depth limited drilling, and fixing the plates provides a safe surgical way.

Difficulty
advanced
Total time
~2-3 hours per patient

Steps

1
Obtain and analyze preoperative computed tomography

Review CT imaging to classify fracture type and location, plan surgical approach, and assess soft tissue involvement for operative strategy.

▶ 02:44
2
Prepare surgical field and expose sternum

Position patient, prepare skin, make midline incision, and perform subperiosteal dissection along sternal surface to expose fracture site.

▶ 04:34
3
Reduce and fixate transverse and oblique fractures

Align fracture fragments for transverse and oblique sternal body fractures, apply locked titanium plates, and use depth-limited drilling for screw fixation.

▶ 08:44
4
Stabilize longitudinal and manubrium fractures

Reduce longitudinal fractures, oblique manubrium fractures, and sternocostal separations; secure with low-profile locked plates and depth-limited screws.

▶ 09:56
5
Assess operative outcomes and imaging results

Evaluate fracture reduction quality, plate position, and screw placement using postoperative imaging to confirm anatomic alignment and stability.

▶ 12:27
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