Table 2.

Description of sternal complications in the sternal wire cohort

	Complication	Days after transplant	Operative intervention
1	Sternal dehiscence, deep surgical site infection, wires pulled through bone	40	Multiple washouts; wound vac; eventual closure and pectoral muscle flap with plastic surgery
2	Increased anterior chest wall pain, instability from sternal dehiscence	29	Washout, wire removal, sternal plating system
3	Sternal override, wires visible in superficial incision	12	Washout, wire removal, sternal plating system
4	Delayed deep wound infection, infected hematoma	237	Washout, wire removal, wound vac
5	Superficial sternal wound developed after proning	12	Wound vac, delayed primary closure, musculocutaneous flaps with plastic surgery
6	Sternal dehiscence, instability, wires pulled through bone	12	Sternal ZIPFIX (DePuy Synthes) closure
7	Deep surgical wound infection	225	Debridement, wound vac
8	Sternal instability, clicking	15	Rewiring of sternum and primary closure