title: Long-term result of bilateral pectoralis major muscle advancement flap in median sternotomy wound infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is an uncommon but serious complication of open heart surgery being characterized by a high mortality rate and a considerable economic weight. Repair of sternal defects, compromised with infection, can be achieved in several ways. The aim of our study is to report our case load in the management of sternal wound infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we will report our twelve-year case load with bilateral pectoralis major advancement flap as the sole treatment modality for deep sternal wound infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This surgical approach has given excellent results in terms of resolution of the infection of the sternum, with few complications and a good cosmetic result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose bilateral pectoralis major advancement flap as the first choice treatment for deep sternal wound infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. federicolotorto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carlesimo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lo Torto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcasciano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors