A 72-year-old woman had a one year history of sternal pain following coronary artery bypass (CABG, see coronary artery bypass grafts.) There was sternal movement and a click felt by the patient. Chest x-ray showed several fractured sternal wires. The patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was thought to be a factor in the initial dehiscence. There was no evidence of infection. The patient was taken to the operating room for repair of sternal dehiscence.