title: Functional impairment after treatment with pectoral muscle flaps because of deep sternal wound infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pectoral muscle flaps (PMF) are effective in terminating protracted sternal wound infections (SWI) but long-term outcome remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome in patients treated with PMF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four of 263 patients revised because of deep SWI from 1991--2005 were treated with PMF. Of the 21 patients alive, 11 had left-sided, two right-sided and eight bilateral procedures. Sternal debridement without closure of the sternum was done in 17 patients. Nineteen of 21 patients responded to a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up on average 5.9 years (range 1.9--14.8 years) after surgery 63% (12/19) experienced unstable chest. Two thirds (12/18) reported problems carrying a grocery bag and 37% (7/19) had problems putting on a coat. Reduction of power and mobility was more common in the right arm and shoulder even in patients with left-sided PMF. Thirty-two percent (6/19) would have preferred alternative treatment if possible to avoid sternal instability even if healing had been substantially delayed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery with PMF and sternal debridement was associated with long-term disability, which appeared to be significant in one third of the patients. The function of the right arm and shoulder was affected more often despite the majority of procedures being left-sided suggesting that loss of skeletal continuity of the chest wall is more disabling than loss of pectoral muscle function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Linköping University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huljebrant
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nettelblad
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Svedjeholm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003646:Debridement; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D012086:Reoperation; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome