1. Randomized, multicenter trial comparing sternotomy closure with rigid plate fixation to wire cerclage 
Keith B. Allen, MD, Vinod H. Thourani, MD, Yoshifumi Naka, MD, PhD, Kendra J. Grubb, MD, John Grehan, MD, PhD, Nirav Patel, MD, T. Sloane Guy, MD, Kevin Landolfo, MD, Marc Gerdisch, MD, Mark Bonnell, MD, David J. Cohen, MD 
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 
Volume 153, Issue 4, Pages e1 (April 2017)
DOI: /j.jtcvs
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) diagram of patient enrollment and follow-up. ICF, Informed consent form; RPF, rigid plate fixation; WC, wire cerclage.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , e1DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
Computed tomography methodology for evaluating the primary endpoint, sternal healing. Axial sections were selected from 5 a priori–defined locations and then scored independently by 2 radiologists via a 6-point scale.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , e1DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

4. Figure 3
Six-month sternal complication rates. RPF, Rigid plate fixation; WC, wire cerclage.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , e1DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

5. Intraoperative photograph of rigid plate fixation (A) and wire cerclage (B) patient.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , e1DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

6. Video 1
Surgical technique of sternotomy closure via the use of rigid plate fixation. Video available at:
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , e1DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions