Median sternotomy infection. Management and reconstruction.
Median sternotomy infections are a difficult and potentially lethal problem. Three patients are presented who manifested variations of this clinical problem, and techniques to treat this complication are described. Successful management entails maximum debridement, elimination of mediastinal dead space utilizing omental or pectoralis major muscle flaps, adjunctive systemic antibiotics, closed irrigation systems, and reconstruction of chest wall stability.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D013903:Thoracic Surgery