Method and system for longitudinal closure of dissected sternums

A method of longitudinally closing a dissected sternum, wherein the dissected sternum comprises a first sternum portion and a second sternum portion separated by a sternum opening, the method comprising:

• attaching a first reinforcing member to an outer surface of the first sternum portion;
• attaching a second reinforcing member to an outer surface of the second sternum portion, such that each reinforcing member is longitudinally disposed on an opposite side of the sternum opening with respect to the other reinforcing member;
• wrapping a plurality of closure members around the first sternum portion and the second sternum portion so as to close the sternum opening by extending each closure member around a first lateral edge of the first sternum portion, behind the first and second sternum portions, and around a second lateral edge of the second sternum portion such that the closure member is received by at least one extended region of the respective reinforcing member that includes a lateral edge extending away from a midline of the respective reinforcing member;
• and
• securing ends of each closure member together to maintain the sternum opening in a substantially closed position,
• wherein the step of attaching the first reinforcing member to the outer surface of the first sternum portion comprises disposing the first reinforcing member such that the lateral edge of the at least one extended region of the first reinforcing member extends laterally from the first lateral edge of the first sternum portion, and
• wherein the step of attaching the second reinforcing member to the outer surface of the second sternum portion comprises disposing the second reinforcing member such that the lateral edge of the at least one extended region of the second reinforcing member extends laterally from the second lateral edge of the second sternum portion.