Posthorax® prevents sternal dehiscence and instability: preliminary results of a Prospective Randomized Multicenter Trial

Aim: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Trial is ongoing to evaluate Posthorax and prevention of sternal dehiscence/instability: clinical percept is optimistic for Posthorax use. The aim of this mono-center analysis is to give a preliminary result of Posthorax support vest after sternotomy.

Methods: One hundred and eighty three cases elective patients were consecutive operated and included in this study conducted in our department since June 2009. Patients were randomized as following: 68 patients were treated with the Posthorax support vest and 115 received a standard bandage postoperatively. The primary endpoints were the Infective Events. Secondary endpoints included a composite of postoperative clinical variables and mortality

Results: The two groups are homogeneous for these characteristic except sex (more women in Control Group, p=0.022). Operative data were comparable in both groups. Deep sternal infections occurred in four patients, all in Control (3.5% vs. 0%, p=0.153). At Follow up, we recorded 2 cases of superficial infection in Control group versus 0 (1.7%, p=0.394) and 1 case of wound dehiscence always in Control Group versus 0 (0.9%, p=0.628). Cumulative Infective Events are statistically more in Control Group (7 cases 6.1% versus 0, p=0.036*). According to the secondary endpoints, there were also no differences between the two compared groups except length of hospitalization (10.6±4 days versus 13.4±9.5, p=0.019*).

Conclusion: Preliminary results show the Posthorax sternum support vest as a valuable adjunct to prevent sternum-related complications: we record a statistical reduction of length of hospital stay and infective events using the support vest in a 3-months follow-up.