A device and a method for keeping the sternal edges apart for the procedure of delayed sternal closure is disclosed in which one or more, specifically shaped struts or stents are insinuated horizontally between the edges of the open sternum, keeping the two edges of the divided sternum apart by a distance determined by the length of the middle bar of the device. The disclosed device has lateral ends which are manually engaged to the medial ends of the sternal edges, by an insinuating movement while the said lateral ends of the apparatus hold onto the medial portion of the sternal edges by a passive, cupping grip which can be further secured by anchoring sutures. The whole of the disclosed device is in the form of a single piece, without any moving parts, joints, screws or nuts & bolts. The present device provides a method and an instrument which occupies minimum inter-sternal space and provides maximum sub-sternal space for accommodating cardiac oedema.
