Sternum not healed

[Billyjean123]

Hi everyone

Unfortunately I am a bit of a catalogue of disasters but wanted to put a little message out to ask if anyone has experienced anything similar and what did their treatment involve?

Although my bypass July 18 failed l have had stents put in but this isn’t the reason for my post. The other problem is that my sternum bone hasn’t healed which gives me symptoms of costochondritis. I am awaiting an opinion from another cardiothoracic surgeon as to what they would suggest but there is talk of a surgical plate. Obviously concerned about if I need further cardiac surgery and how this will all be affected by this.

Is there anyone else out there who has had similar problems?

Thanks very much everyone!

Best wishes

Liz

[Chappychap]

I can't offer any practical advice, but I wanted to extend a message of care and solidarity.

To have a CABG operation fail must be an awful experience, if you do have further surgery I so hope next time is 100% successful and completely incident free, you're well overdue some good fortune.

[Billyjean123 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks Chappychap. We all know that things may not go to plan but difficult to manage sometimes when trying to get on with living. I am hopeful that my luck will change. 🍀

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Whilst not common sternal plates are used in a small percentage of cases post OHS. Any comprised tissue (e.g. infected bone) is removed and a plate typically involving three or four ribs put in place. This procedure has a high success rate. In the event of further surgery the plate would be removed by undoing the screws as opposed to cutting the sternal wires. I think you have no need for concern but easier said than done...

[Billyjean123 in reply to MichaelJH]

My confidence in surgery is feeling a bit challenged at the moment. It’s just trying to work out the option of what is going to provide me with optimum benefit in the long term. I really am talking in terms of comfort and relief of pain. If that’s surgery then that’s the route I’ll have to take trusting in the hands of surgeon again. Fortunately there doesn’t appear to be any infection but it does beg the question as to why it hasn’t healed as I don’t have any underlying problems that might inhibit that from occurring.

Thanks so much for your thoughts.