title: Options for the management of poststernotomy mediastinitis.
abstract: The management of 27 consecutive deep sternotomy wound infections is reviewed. In 22 cases the initial treatment was debridement, sternal refixation and dilute antibiotic irrigation via multiple irrigation-suction catheters. In the nine cases (41%) in which these measures failed, more extensive sternal and costal cartilage debridement and closure with a muscle flap were performed. Five cases were initially managed with major reconstructive surgery. For reconstruction, a bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was used alone in eight cases, while in six the flap was insufficient to obliterate the whole poststernectomy space, and was supplemented with rectus abdominis muscle. Early mediastinitis can be effectively treated with thorough wound debridement and mediastinal irrigation, but if there is a two-week delay from the initial sternotomy to manifestation of infection, radical debridement with muscle flap closure should be seriously considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Satta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahtinen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Räisänen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salmela
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Juvonen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents