Achilles tendon for sternal synthesis in the treatment of mediastinitis.
Surgical approaches to postoperative mediastinitis that imply wire removal achieve earlier infection recovery but leave the patient with sternal instability. In 10 patients after wound surgical debridement, my colleagues and I achieved sternal synthesis by using Achilles tendons retrieved from multiorgan donors and stored in glutaraldehyde. Three tendons were used in each patient; they were passed through the bone at the manubrium and parasternally at the midsternum and the lower sternum. Thirty-day computed tomographic scan results, infection recovery, and quality of life were satisfactory.
De Feo
Marisa
M
Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, V. Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy. marisa.defeo@tin.it
Carozza
Antonio
A
Della Corte
Alessandro
A
Quarto
Cesare
C
Torella
Michele
M
De Santo
Luca Salvatore
LS
Nappi
Gianantonio
G
Cotrufo
Maurizio
M
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000637:transplantation*; D000368:Aged; D001864:Bone Wires; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003646:Debridement; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome