| Total (n=60) | ||
| Characteristics | Standard Postoperatative Group (n=40) | Sternal Instability Group (n=20) |
| Participants | ||
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 63.11 ±10.5 | 65.97 ±9.5 |
| Gender (male), n (%) | 28 (70) | 12 (80) |
| BMI (kg/m2), mean (SD) | 25.44 ±4.7 | 29.44 ±5.7 |
| Length of stay, median [IQR], days | 7 (3.2) | 10 (3) |
| Smoking History, n (%) | ||
| Never smoker | 13 (32.5) | 2 (2) |
| Current smoker | 5 (12.5) | 1 (1) |
| Ex-smoker | 12 (25.5) | 17 (85) |
| Co-morbidities, n (%) | ||
| Chronic obstructive airways disease | 9 (22.5) | 5 (25) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 (27.5) | 12 (30) |
| Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis | 5 (12.5) | 3 (15) |
| Hypertension | 22 (55) | 15 (75) |
| Previous sternotomy | 3 (7.5) | 4 (10) |
| Type of Cardiac Surgery, n (%) | ||
| CABG | 19 (47.5) | 17 (85) |
| On pump, n | 40 (100) | 20 (100) |
| Off pump, n | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Valve surgery | 10 (25) | 7 (35)) |
| Combination of CABG and valve surgery | 5 (12.5) | 2(2) |
| Type of CABG graft, n | ||
| Saphenous vein | 15 (37.5) | 8 (40) |
| Unilateral internal mammary artery | 40 (100) | 19 (95) |
| Bilateral internal mammary artery | 1 (2.5) | 1 (5) |
| Operation duration (min), mean (SD) | 260.94 ±79.1 | 255.70 ±91.3 |
| Cardiopulmonary bypass duration (min), mean (SD) | 105.47 ±44.2 | 101.33 ±48.1 |
| Mechanical ventilation duration (hrs), mean (SD) | 4.36 ±1 | 4.64 ±3 |