title: [The use of the vancomycin paste for sternal hemostasis and mediastinitis prophylaxis].
abstract: 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.
authors: Hospital dos Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. vinicius@sbccv.org.br
authors: Marcus Vinicius Ferraz de
authors: MV
authors: Arruda
authors: Domingo Marcolino
authors: DM
authors: Braile
authors: Marcos Rogério
authors: MR
authors: Joaquim
authors: Fabio Augusto
authors: FA
authors: Suzuki
authors: Raquel Helena
authors: RH
authors: Alves
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin