Treatment of chronic sternal fistulae following cardiac surgery with a bone substitute.
Chronic sternal infection is a relatively rare complication following cardiac surgery that can cause high morbidity and mortality and can require repeated surgical procedures, including sternal resection, to resolve. However, preserving sternal integrity is essential, particularly in children. A variety of conservative treatments for this complication of cardiac surgery have been reported. Here, we report three cases of children in whom a bone substitute containing tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite was used to fill sternal defects. After extensive surgical debridement, this method yielded primary wound closure with good resolution, preventing the recurrence of sternal infection.
Congenital Heart Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
M J
MJ
Lamas
T
T
Centella
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017886:Durapatite / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D017886:Durapatite; C018392:tricalcium phosphate