title: Pyodera gangrenosum after aortic valve replacement.
abstract: A 68-year-old male patient developed pyoderma gangrenosum after elective aortic valve replacement. Treatment with steroids and clofazimine was initiated, which resulted in rapid cessation of the necrotic process. Due to thoracic instability, stabilization of the sternum was performed followed by surgical debridement and atraumatic wound closure. Postoperatively, immunosuppression with cyclosporine A was added; the patient recovered completely. Pyoderma gangrenosum is a potential life-threatening complication that must be considered in patients with severely impaired wound healing after cardiac operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westfalian Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Germany. markus.rothenburger@thgms.uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rothenburger
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Tjan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Scheld
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001021:Aortic Valve; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000628:therapy*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone