Minimally invasive sternal fracture repair

An adjustable sternal plate apparatus for fixating and repairing a fractured sternum having first and second sternal parts separated by a fracture, comprising:

• a first sternal plate, the first sternal plate having an elongated body with opposing sides that are generally planar, the opposing sides having a periphery defined by opposing side edges and opposing ends, the elongated body having a plurality of screw holes, the first sternal plate attachable to the first sternal part via screws installed in the screw holes;
• a second sternal plate, the second sternal plate having an elongated body with opposing sides that are generally planar, the opposing sides having a periphery defined by opposing side edges and opposing ends, the elongated body having a plurality of screw holes, the second sternal plate attachable to the second sternal part via screws installed in the screw holes;
• and
• a bridge plate having an elongated body with opposing sides that are generally planar, the opposing sides having a periphery defined by opposing side edges and opposing ends, the elongated body having a plurality of elongated screw holes, the bridge plate for overlapping respective parts of the first and second sternal plates so that its plurality of elongated screw holes is in sufficient alignment with underlying screw holes associated with the first and second sternal plates to enable the bridge plate to be installed over the sternal plates via screws.

A method for fixating and repairing a sternum fracture, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing three plates, including a bridge plate, a first sternal plate, and a second sternal plate, each plate having a plurality of screw holes;
• (b) mounting the first and second sternal plates to respective first and second parts of the fractured sternum on separate sides of the fracture by installing screws through the first and second sternal plates into the respective first and second parts;
• and
• (c) mounting the bridge plate over the first and second sternal plates by installing screws through the bride plate and the first and second sternal plates in order to secure together the bridge plate, the first and second sternal plates, and the first and second sternal parts.