Sternal fractures: “Operative treatment” should be kept in mind
A 10-year-old boy was referred to our hospital (Konya Education and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey, 2011) do to a disturbing pain on his sternum which was existed after a crush into his bicycle steering wheel. After his physical inspection posteroanterior and lateral chest X-rays were done demonstrating the displaced sternal fracture []. On thorax computed tomography a transverse fracture and 8.5 mm pericardial effusion was detected []. Echocardiography showed a minimal compression to the right ventricle of the heart due to the fractured and posteriorly depressed sternum. Because of this compression, his young age – taking into account malunion problems – and disturbing pain, surgical repair was planned. A vertical 4 cm. incision was done on the fractured segment, both sides of the fracture were elevated with sutures and a right angle clamp making them face to face and were sutured with loop polidioxanone (PDS) suture material. Control lateral chest X-ray showed the improved sternum []. The patient is on follow up without any problems and complications.