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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/CLW088 )
The Sternal Talon(R) is an alternative method of closure for midlinesternotomies used in many heart procedures and utilizes rigid orthopedic-stylefixation. Originally developed in conjunction with surgeons at DukeUniversity and surgeons in Tulsa, OK, as a reconstructive alternative forpatients with sternal instability and non-unions, the Sternal Talon(R) hasbeen used successfully in primary closure for patients undergoing midlinesternotomy for CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) and valvular surgery. Manyof these 500 patients had multiple comorbidities, which often lead tosignificant infections that can be fatal. These patients represent a trulydifficult population for sternal closure and until recently the cardiothoracicsurgeon had very few treatment options.
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"The most common method of sternal closure remains sternal wire, but thisis not without problems, especially in the larger patients," says Dr. ArchMiller, one of the inventors from Tulsa, OK. "The patients often exert forceson the wires that can cause the wires to break, pull through the bone orloosen which can lead to sternal instability, infection and increased pain."Using the Sternal Talon(R) on patients with higher BMI (body mass index)improves the chances for better fixation, potentially reducing the risk ofsternal complications and resulting in lower patient pain scores allowing themfaster recovery.
"One of the most surprising outcomes of the use of the Sternal Talon(R)was the reaction of the post-operative nursing staff who commented that youcould tell which patients had the Sternal Talon(R) as they were up and movingaround quicker with less pain," said Dr. Miller.
Currently, KLS Martin(R) Sternal Talons(R) are available in a select groupof heart hospitals in the US. The initial experience and feedback fromdoctors, nursing staff and patients is very positive.
A multi-center study to evaluate the outcomes of similar high riskpatients with "standard" wire closure compared to the Sternal Talon(R) isunderway with the team at Duke University Medical Center and results should beavailable in the next 18 months. The study at Duke is being led by physiciansother than those who were involved in the initial development of the SternalTalon(R).
Additional information is available through KLS Martin LP, P.O. Box 50249,Jacksonville, FL 32246, www.klsmartin.com or www.rapidsternalclosure.com ,1-800-625-1557.
SOURCE KLS Martin LP
