title: Wound complications after cardiac surgery: a new approach to healing by secondary intention.
abstract: Sternal wound complications after cardiac surgery occur in 0.4% to 8% of all cases and have a mortality rate as high as 27%. Treatment varies and does not always yield favorable results. This article discusses normal wound healing versus healing by secondary intention. Risk factors and factors that delay healing are highlighted. A case study describes the utilization of the Bard absorption dressing to promote the healing process in a sternal wound complication. This treatment modality proved to be effective as a nontraditional approach to healing by secondary intention.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Radford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing; D006097:Granulation Tissue; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014945:Wound Healing