What type of suture should the surgical tech have ready for closure of the sternum?

The appropriate choice for suturing the sternum is stainless steel due to its strength and durability. The sternum is a high-stress area in the body, particularly after cardiac or thoracic procedures. Using a material that can withstand significant tension and does not degrade over time is crucial for ensuring proper post-operative stability and healing.

Stainless steel sutures are nonabsorbable and provide robust anchorage, minimizing the risk of sternal dehiscence and allowing for secure closure of the mediastinum after surgery. This property is particularly important in preventing complications that can arise from movement or strain around the sternum during recovery.

In contrast, other types of sutures such as polypropylene, chromic gut, and silk, while useful in various surgical contexts, do not deliver the same level of strength and stability required for sternal closure. Polypropylene is often used for soft tissue repairs, chromic gut is an absorbable material that would not provide the needed support over time, and silk, although a strong suture, does not have the same tensile strength and durability as stainless steel in this specific context.