[The use of the vancomycin paste for sternal hemostasis and mediastinitis prophylaxis].
BACKGROUND
Mediastinitis is one of the most feared complications for thoracic surgeons, being a significant factor in morbidity and mortality in thoracic surgery.


OBJECTIVE
To find a new alternative in order to prevent mediastinitis, reducing the morbidity and mortality.


METHODS
A retrospective study including 1020 patients operated between February 2002 and October 2005. Patients underwent bypass surgery and vancomycin paste was used rather than bone wax in all cases.


RESULTS
Patients were followed-up for 45 months; there were only five (0.49%) cases of mediastinitis; no deaths were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of Vancomycin paste to replace bone wax proved to be a great allied to prevent mediastinitis after thoracic surgery.
Arruda
Marcus Vinicius Ferraz de
MV
Hospital dos Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. vinicius@sbccv.org.br
Braile
Domingo Marcolino
DM
Joaquim
Marcos Rogério
MR
Suzuki
Fabio Augusto
FA
Alves
Raquel Helena
RH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin