Summary
Background
Infection of a median sternotomy wound is a rare albeit potentially fatal complication
because of the risk of mediastinitis and deep sternal wound infection. Current treatment
of deep sternal wound infection comprises antibiotics, debridement and transposition
of muscle or omental flaps to fill the anterior mediastinal dead space.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of the deep sternal wound infections treated in our unit
over a nine-year period was performed.
Results
Out of the 11 903 consecutive coronary artery bypass graft procedures performed, 27
patients were referred to plastic surgery for management of deep sternal wound infection
with flaps. Wounds were classified based on their location on the sternum as type
A (upper ½), B (lower ½) or C (whole of sternum). Five patients had type A wounds,
12 type B wounds and 10 type C wounds. The mean age was 68 years and the M:F ratio
was 20:7.
We describe guidelines for the choice of flap for sternal wound reconstruction, according
to the anatomical site of the wound dehiscence.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 22, 2007
Accepted:
October 15,
2006
Received:
January 9,
2006
Footnotes
☆This paper was presented at the British Association of Plastic Surgeons Summer Scientific Meeting, Newport, 2 July 2003. There are no financial interests associated with this paper and no sources of funding.
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
