Failure analysis of the fractured wires in sternal perichronal loops

We report failure analysis of sternal wires in two cases in which a perichronal fixation technique was used to close the sternotomy. Various characteristics of the retrieved wires were compared to those of unused wires of the same grade and same manufacturer and with surgical wire specifications. In both cases, wire fracture was un-branched and transgranular and proceeded by a high cycle fatigue process, apparently in the absence of corrosion. However, stress anlysis indicates that the effective stress produced during strong coughing is lower than the yield strength. Our findings suggest that in order to reduce the risk for sternal dehiscence, the diameter of the wire used should be increased.

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► We study the wire fracture of sternal perichronal closures.
► Analysis of retrieved wires reveals a low cycle fatigue mechanism.
► Yield strength/Effective stress is higher than 1 in the considered cases.
► A 0.9 mm wire diameter is proposed to reduce the wire fracture risk.