title: The management of deep sternal wound infections using vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy.
abstract: A group of international experts met in May 2006 to develop clinical guidelines on the practical application of vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.)+ therapy in deep sternal wound infections. Group discussion and an anonymous interactive voting system were used to develop content. The recommendations are based on current evidence or, where this was not available, the majority consensus of the international group. The principles of treatment for deep sternal wound infections include early recognition and treatment of infection. V.A.C. therapy should be instigated early, following thorough wound irrigation and surgical debridement. V.A.C. therapy in deep sternal wound infections requires specialist surgical supervision and should only be undertaken by clinicians with adequate experience and training in the use of the technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ingemansson
authors.forename: Mitchell D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lirtzman
authors.forename: Herbert L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Meites
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moidl
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sjögren
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Bauer E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Sumpio
authors.forename: Boulos
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toursarkissian
authors.forename: Ferdinand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Waldenberger
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wetzel-Roth
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology