Sternal bone anatomy on preoperative imaging as an independent predictor of deep sternal dehiscence following median sternotomy

Complications following median sternotomy are associated with morbidity, mortality, and major healthcare costs. With plastic surgeons being increasingly consulted to close complex sternotomy wounds, a more accurate risk stratification tool for this comorbid patient population is warranted. This study examines the association of preoperative radiologic sternal measurements and deep sternal dehiscence, comparing this with other known clinical risk factors. A decreased manubrium sternal thickness relative to body weight (