Fig. 1

Axial computed tomography scan images representative of each score on 6-point scale. Each score was defined as follows: (0) no sign of healing (clear lack of healing, nonunion, sternal separation); (1) minimal healing (sternal separation, lack of bridging bone); (2) mild healing (sternal separation with hazy, immature bone formation); (3) moderate healing (partial bridging bone indicative of sternal stability); (4) partial synthesis (significant bridging bone); (5) complete synthesis (complete bridging bone)