title: Platelet-rich plasma inside the sternotomy wound reduces the incidence of sternal wound infections.
abstract: Despite the large choice of wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery is a life-threatening complication worldwide. This study evaluated that the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied inside the sternotomy wound would reduce the effect of sternal wound infections, both superficial and deep. Between January 2007 and January 2012, 1093 consecutive patients underwent cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. Patients were divided into two groups. Group B, the study group, included those who received the PRP applied inside the sternotomy wound before closure. Group A, the control group, included patients who received a median sternotomy but without the application of PRP. Antibiotic prophylaxis remained unchanged across the study and between the two groups. Occurrence of DSWI was significantly higher in group A than in group B [10 of 671 (1·5%) versus 1 of 422 (0·20%), P = 0·043]. Also, superficial sternal wound infections (SSWIs) were significantly higher in group A than in group B [19 of 671 (2·8%) versus 2 of 422 (0·5%), P = 0·006]. The use of PRP can significantly reduce the occurrence of DSWI and SSWI in cardiac surgery.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.affiliation: Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Pugliese Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dominijanni
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jiritano
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuda
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Santo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caroleo
authors.affiliation: Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Pugliese Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Adalgisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brescia
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzulli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Cardiac surgery; Platelet gel; Sternal wound infections