Percutaneous Fixation by Internal Cemented Screws of the Sternum

Percutaneous screw fixation and cementoplasty of metastatic sternal fracture: Descriptions of 2 cases

“…This may provide a rapid recovery time in these vulnerable patients and could result in avoiding delays in chemotherapy treatment. This approach might also lower hospitalization complications by reducing hospitalization time to a minimum and by reducing side effects of high consumption of painkillers [ 3 , 10 ]. The effect on pain is probably due to the reduction of friction and distraction forces by stabilizing the fracture with both screws and cement, combined with cement heat properties causing denervation [ 3 , 8 ].…”

“…This approach might also lower hospitalization complications by reducing hospitalization time to a minimum and by reducing side effects of high consumption of painkillers [ 3 , 10 ]. The effect on pain is probably due to the reduction of friction and distraction forces by stabilizing the fracture with both screws and cement, combined with cement heat properties causing denervation [ 3 , 8 ]. This treatment seems all the more feasible since only 1 screw seems necessary given the absence of rotational forces on the sternal bone.…”

“…The sternum is a common site for bone metastasis, which most commonly originates from breast, lung, kidney and thyroid cancers, and also from lymphomas and myelomas [ 1 , 2 ]. We report on 2 cases of sternal metastatic fractures treated by imagery guided percutaneous fixation by internal cemented screws (FICS), which others have shown to be efficient for sternum stabilization, and for alleviation of pain symptoms [3] .…”

Traumatic sternal fractures: a narrative review

“…The first description of fixation for a sternal fracture was done in 1943 by McKim ( 32 ). Over the last several years, multiple reports have been published regarding different fixation materials including stainless steel wires ( 33 ), absorbable plates ( 34 ), non-absorbable plates ( 25 , 29 , 30 )), and internal cemented screws ( 35 ). The most accepted technique involves using titanium plates and screws for plate osteosynthesis ( Figure 1 ), primarily based on data extrapolated from biomechanical testing ( 36 , 37 ) and clinical studies on sternal closure techniques ( 38 , 39 ).…”

Interventional oncology at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: Problems and solutions

“…IO has now an increasing role in pain palliation. Percutaneous osteosynthesis and cementoplasty can be proposed to patient with bone metastases [49,50] [51][52][53]. Even if according to NHS guide, "Palliative radiotherapy where alleviation of symptoms would reduce the burden on other healthcare services, such as hemoptysis" is classified as a level 4 radiotherapy of priority on a scale from 1 to 5, and classified as a level 5 priority on the 1 to 6 scale level for of categorization of cancer patients inside of "curative therapy with a high (>50%) chance of palliation/temporary tumor control but < 1 year life extension" there is no mention of pain in this guide [38].…”