title: Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis.
abstract: A new technique using vacuum-assisted closure was successfully applied in 3 patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis. After surgical debridement, this vacuum-assisted closure technique has made it possible to avoid the need for secondary surgical closure (including direct secondary surgical closure and secondary surgical closure by use of vascularized muscle flaps). A healed stable sternotomy wound can be achieved using this new technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Obdeijn
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lichtendahl
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: de Boer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing