Grant: Project Grant

Median sternotomy is the standard approach in heart surgery. Over 1.5M operations are performed worldwide annually; 45K in Canada. Wires are used post-operatively to close the sterna, leading to instability, micro-motion and pain. Alternative techniques lack effectiveness or are cost prohibitive. Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) are used in restorative dentistry, orthodontics and ear, nose and throat surgeries. Nominated Principal Applicant Towler has re-engineered these GPCs and developed an adhesive for sternal fixation based on a patent-pending calcium zinc tantalosilicate ionomer glass which can be applied during sternal wiring to minimize complications. This approach, supported by the scientific literature, will reduce post-operative complications by inhibiting micro-motion between the dissected sternal halves and restricting bacterial ingress into the wound.