Wire broke that was used to wire chest together

My husband had bypass surgery 8 years ago.  After a recent chest xray, he was told the wire was broken that was used to wire the chest closed after the bypass surgery and the family doctor has set up an appointment for him with his heart surgeon.  How dangerous is this?  Do is happen often?  What will need to be done?

[vienna13]

That must be awful to learn.:(  But good thing he has the appointment on the way.  
Sure it is just a routine for a surgeon, so do not stress yourself, he will be fine.
I don’t have  answers  for your questions,  just wanted to send you and him my virtual best wishes!!

[ed34]

the wire is not a permanent requirement, it's just there to hold the sternum while the bone fuses together. When the bone grows around the wire it can break them, even years later. In most cases nothing needs to be done at all, it's just left alone. An x-ray will confirm if the wire is protruding in a dangerous manner, such as pointing towards a lung or the heart. If necessary, it can be removed with simple surgery, but it's probably going to stay as it is.

[dlw69]

Yes, I assumed the wire probably has scar tissue around it and is firmly in place and the bone is healed completely.  It just concerned me that the family doctor wanted him to see the heart doctor.  I have never heard of this happening to anyone and I couldn't find out anything on the internet.  I really was just wandering if this had happened to anyone and what happened.  When I first posted on here I had just been told about it and I just didn't know whether to be worried or not.  My husband goes Monday to see his heart doctor.  Guess we'll find out then.  Thanks for the comments.