Vacuum-assisted closure in the paediatric patient with post-cardiotomy mediastinitis.
Mediastinitis has a high mortality and is a major cause for concern in the neonatal cardiac surgical population. Vacuum-Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) is a newly established technique for expediting healing in the management of wounds resistant to established treatments; this includes the treatment of post-cardiotomy mediastinitis in the adult cardiac surgical patient. We describe the previously unreported use of the V.A.C. device for the successful treatment of post-cardiotomy mediastinitis in an infant. The device also improved the mechanics of respiration. We discuss potential risks and benefits of V.A.C. and suggest guidelines for its use.
Ramnarine
I R
IR
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Dalnair Street, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK. ianramnarine@hotmail.com
McLean
A
A
Pollock
J C S
JC
D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000628:therapy*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy*; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing