title: Rigid internal fixation of the sternum in postoperative mediastinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current standard treatment of mediastinitis following median sternotomy is radical sternal débridement and obliteration of anterior mediastinal dead space with muscle or omental flaps. This report describes and reviews our experiences with a new technique of sternal salvage based on osseous quantitative bacteriologic assessment and rigid fixation in patients with postoperative mediastinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 29 patients treated with sternal rigid internal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two tertiary care academic medical centers in Chicago, Ill, and Ann Arbor, Mich.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with postoperative mediastinitis following median sternotomy who underwent rigid internal fixation of retained sternum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following débridement, quantitative bacteriologic assessment and sternal vascularity were assessed. Sternal segments with good vascularity and in bacteriologic balance were anatomically reduced and rigidly fixed to each other with titanium miniplates in 24 patients with postoperative mediastinitis. Five of the 29 patients, at high risk for mediastinitis, underwent rigid internal fixation immediately after their cardiac procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resolution of infection, wounds remaining closed, and stable sternums.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bony union was obtained in 27 (93%) of 29 patients. The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 5 to 84 days, with a mean stay of 17 days and a median stay of 7 days. Length of stay was directly related to pulmonary function, which correlated with preoperative intubation status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radical sternal débridement may not be necessary in all patients with postoperative mediastinitis following median sternotomy. Sternal salvage can safely and reliably be performed with a combination of clinical assessment of vascularity and osseous quantitative bacteriologic assessment. Anatomic reduction of the viable sternal segments is possible even in severely osteoporotic bone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Ill.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Pielet
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Karp
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Krieger
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Deeb
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003646:Debridement; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*