The use of absorbable microfibrillation collagen to control sternal bone marrow bleeding.

Because of the fact that bone wax plays a significant role in delayed healing of the sternum an alternative technique for the control of sternal bone marrow bleeding has been devised. It consists of the application of fashioned strips of absorbable microfibrillar collagen to the cut surface of the sternal marrow after the sternum is divided and/or prior to its closure. This initial clinical experience has been excellent.