An increasing number of aortic valve replacements are performed through a ministernotomy. Due to the small incision and partial fixation of the caudal sternum, the traditional wire closure can be complicated and even harmful to the surrounding tissue. In such cases, we recommend the use of nitinol clips for sternal closure. This technique, which we have used in 48 patients, is simple, safe, and fast, and results in excellent outcomes.
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NegriAManfrediJTerriniARodellaGBisleriGEl QuarraS. Prospective evaluation of a new sternal closure method with thermoreactive clips. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2002; 22: 571–575.
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Ilyin A, Kollerov M, Gusev D, Davydov E, Gazzani R. Production and application features of implants from nitinol with the shape memory effect. Titanium '99: Science and Technology, Volume III, Central Research Institute of Structural Materials (CRISM) “Prometey”, Proceedings of the 9th World Conference on Titanium, St Petersberg, Russia, June 7–11, 1999. Available at: http://www.titanium.org/Category.cfm?CategoryID=197.
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CentofantiPLa TorreMBarbatoLVerziniAPataneFdi SummaM. Sternal closure using semirigid fixation with thermoreactive clips. Ann Thorac Surg2002; 74: 943–945.
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ReissNSchuettUKemperMBairaktarisAKoerferR. New method for sternal closure after vacuum-assisted therapy in deep sternal infections after cardiac surgery. Ann Thorac Surg2007; 83: 2246–2247.
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ToccoMPCostantinoABallardiniMD’AndreaCMasalaMMericoE. Improved results of the vacuum assisted closure and nitinol clips sternal closure after postoperative deep sternal wound infection. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2009; 35: 833–838.
