sternal wire removal

Posted by heartbreaker @heartbreaker, Apr 10, 2019

Two titanium wires are protruding under my skin where the sternum was wired together. Dr. recommends removal of all wires, but I worry about extensive surgery. Maybe just remove the 2 wires? Anyone else have this problem? It doesn't go away by itself.

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I didn’t have the wires protruding, but had reaction to metal used. You don’t specify whether your sternum is closed or not, or what they plan to do if it isn’t.
I had them removed and they did a double peck flap surgery to close and protect open area of sternum. I did not have the same pain I had with original heart surgery and have no problems since. It was well worth it.
I know what you describe was explained to me as something that can occur. Hope this helps!

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Thanks -- that helped a lot. I will do it.

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Please, very important to me: Can stents in the iliac veins be removed? ( 2 in the left vein and one in the right vein) Would appreciate and thank you peach414144

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@peach414144

Please, very important to me: Can stents in the iliac veins be removed? ( 2 in the left vein and one in the right vein) Would appreciate and thank you peach414144

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@peach414144 I'm not sure have you talked with your surgeon !Once a stint is put in I think It would be very difficult to remove it and may put your life in jeopardy Why do you want them removed if may ask?

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@lioness

@peach414144 I'm not sure have you talked with your surgeon !Once a stint is put in I think It would be very difficult to remove it and may put your life in jeopardy Why do you want them removed if may ask?

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Thank you for your reply. Is a stent the same as a stint? I hope I have not confused anything. You are correct this should be presented to the doctor. Again thanks peach

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Only a doctor who knows your medical history and why they may need to come out ( since you did not say if there was anything medical going on with them) should answer this question. I believe that once they are in, tissue grows around them making it hard to remove and very dangerous depending on how much intertwining there is. Get an opinion from more than one doctor is my advice. Good Luck!

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@peach414144

Thank you for your reply. Is a stent the same as a stint? I hope I have not confused anything. You are correct this should be presented to the doctor. Again thanks peach

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@peach414144 Your welcome Peach hope everything goes well for you Praying for u

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@peach414144

Thank you for your reply. Is a stent the same as a stint? I hope I have not confused anything. You are correct this should be presented to the doctor. Again thanks peach

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Sternum refers to the breast bone, cut vertically during open heart surgery. Titanium wires are used to hole the sternum together until the bone heals. These are called sternal wires. A stent, on the other hand, is a collapsible frame inserted into a blood vessel to keep it open. These cannot be removed as tissue grows around them.

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@lioness

@peach414144 I'm not sure have you talked with your surgeon !Once a stint is put in I think It would be very difficult to remove it and may put your life in jeopardy Why do you want them removed if may ask?

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I did not reply as to why do I want the stents removed. I am wondering should I have the stents removed because I became septic from this procedure (September 1918) and am still having the same symptoms since. Frightening. peach

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@peach414144

I did not reply as to why do I want the stents removed. I am wondering should I have the stents removed because I became septic from this procedure (September 1918) and am still having the same symptoms since. Frightening. peach

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@peach414144 Oh peach I'm so sorry to hear this how long ago did you have the stents put in.? Talk to your surgeon about it right away maybe if it hasn't been that long they could but See him see a cardiologist as well I really don't know so talk to Dr,s and see If not find out the alternative Are you near a Mayo clinic? Or a University hospital This is where I'd go to find out Good luck

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