An Evaluation of Rigid Sternal Fixation in Supporting Bone Healing and Improving Postoperative Recovery

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing a full standard midline sternotomy as a result of a cardiac surgical procedure (i.e. coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and/or valve replacement along with other cardiac surgical procedures) * Patients admitted to the hospital the day of or the day before their scheduled surgical procedure * Patients ≥ 18 years of age * Patients with a BMI \< 40 Exclusion Criteria: Pre-operative * Patients with endstage renal failure who are on dialysis * Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (FEV1 \< 50% or patients on on-home oxygen) * Patients on prescribed pre-operative narcotics * Patients taking chronic steroids, biologics acting as immunosuppressants (e.g. Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab), or chemotherapeutics (iv or oral chemotherapeutics for cancer). Patients using a steroid inhaler for asthma should not be excluded. * Patients with an active infection as defined by a positive culture * Patients with foreign body sensitivity * Patients with mental or neurologic conditions who are unwilling or incapable of following postoperative care instructions * Patients defined within the New York Heart Association (NYHA) or Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) functional Class IV for congestive heart failure: i.e., patients with cardiac disease resulting in inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort (CCS ; NYHA) * Patients presenting emergent/salvage cardiac acuity as de…