This page was reviewed by the ERAS Cardiac Editorial Team and is provided for general education only. Always talk with your care team about your individual treatment plan and recovery needs.
Why Rigid Sternal Fixation Is Used After Heart Surgery
After heart surgery, your breastbone (sternum) needs time to heal. To do this, the surgeon must close and secure the sternum after the procedure. This is typically done using wires or a combination of wires and small plates.
This approach is called rigid sternal fixation, and it helps keep your chest stable during healing. In many cases, it may also reduce pain, improve breathing, and lower the risk of complications after surgery.
What Is the Sternum and Why Does It Matter?
The sternum is the bone in the center of your chest that protects your heart and lungs. During open-heart surgery, the surgeon makes an incision through this bone to access the heart. After the procedure, your sternum is carefully closed and stabilized.
Keeping the sternum secure is very important for your safety and recovery. If the bone does not heal properly, it can lead to serious problems like infection, pain, or poor breathing.
How Rigid Fixation Helps
Rigid sternal fixation can help:
- Keep the chest stable during healing
- Protect the surgical area from reopening or shifting
- Reduce pain and support movement
- Improve breathing and coughing
- Lower the risk of infection or other complications
This can lead to faster healing, better comfort, and sometimes a shorter hospital stay.
What You May Notice
Your care team will let you know what kind of sternal closure was used. In many cases, patients do not notice a difference between wire-only closure and rigid fixation with plates, but the goal is always the same: to help you heal safely and comfortably.
You may be given activity guidelines to protect your sternum. These often include:
- Moving in certain ways when getting in and out of bed or a chair
- Avoiding lifting heavy objects until cleared by your surgeon
- Practicing breathing exercises to support your lungs
If you experience new chest pain, a clicking feeling, or redness or swelling near your incision, let your care team know right away.
Questions You May Want to Ask
- What type of closure did I receive after surgery?
- How long will my sternum take to heal?
- Are there any activity restrictions I should follow?
- What symptoms should I report to the care team?
At a Glance
- Rigid sternal fixation helps keep the breastbone stable after heart surgery
- It may reduce pain and lower the risk of complications
- Healing typically takes several weeks, and your care team will guide you through it
- Let your team know if you have any new symptoms or concerns
ERAS Cardiac VEC Disclaimer
The Virtual Education Center (VEC) and all included content are provided for general education about enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. The information has been reviewed by healthcare professionals but is not meant to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every patient’s situation is unique. Always talk with your own doctor or care team about what is best for you.
For questions or comments about the ERAS Cardiac VEC, please contact us.
AI Assistance Statement
This summary was developed with assistance from artificial intelligence and reviewed, edited, and approved by the listed editor(s). Reference: OpenAI (2025). ChatGPT (November version) [Large language model].
https://chat.openai.com