broken sternum wires

[4wire]

I had bypass surgery 12 years ago.Shortly after my surgery all of the wires holding my sternum together had broken.I had to have my sternum repaired with new and stronger wires.Now I have pain in my chest.I have recently found out that when my sternum was repaired the original broken wires were left in my chest.Now I have to have surgery to remove the original wires.Is it common practice to leave broken wires in a patents chest like that.I feel like the first surgeon should have removed them when he had me cut open in the first place.

[kenkeith]

Common practice is to leave the wires left in place. . Occassionally, when there is a problem the wires are removed.  With most individuals, they can't see the wires or feel them.  Broken wires probably should be removed as there is no useful purpose involved and may cause problems that you are experiencing.

[purple66]

That certainly doesn't sound right......unless removing them would be "dangerous". It sounds dangerous to me to leave them in.

I am 3 months out from aortic valve replacement and just found out that since this was my second sternotomy I have wires AND sternal plates.

Best of luck with your continued healing.