Therapeutic Outcomes of Pectoralis Major Muscle Turnover Flap in Mediastinitis.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic results and safety of pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps in the treatment of mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures.


METHODS
Data regarding 33 patients with post-CABG deep sternal wound infections (DSWIs) who underwent pectoralis major muscle turnover flap procedures in the Emam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals of Mashhad, Iran were reviewed in this study. For each patient, age, sex, hospital stay duration, remission, recurrence, and associated morbidity and mortality were evaluated.


RESULTS
Of the 2,447 CABG procedures that were carried out during the time period encompassed by our study, DSWIs occurred in 61 patients (2.5%). Of these 61 patients, 33 patients (nine females [27.3%] and 24 males [72.7%]) with an average age of 63±4.54 years underwent pectoralis major muscle turnover flap placement. Symptoms of infection mainly occurred within the first 10 days after surgery (mean, 10.24±13.62 days). The most common risk factor for DSWIs was obesity (n=16, 48.4%) followed by diabetes mellitus (n=13, 39.4%). Bilateral and unilateral pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps were performed in 20 patients (60.6%) and 13 patients (39.4%), respectively. Complete remission was achieved in 25 patients (75.7%), with no recurrence in the follow-up period. Four patients (12.1%) needed reoperation. The mean hospitalization time was 11.69±6.516 days. Four patients (12.1%) died during the course of the study: three due to the postoperative complication of respiratory failure and one due to pulmonary thromboembolism.


CONCLUSIONS
Pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps are an optimal technique in the treatment of post-CABG mediastinitis. In addition to leading to favorable therapeutic results, this flap is associated with minimal morbidity and mortality, as well as a short hospitalization time.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and Transplant Research Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Reza
R
Bagheri
Department of Heart Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and Transplant Research Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Mohammad Abbasi
MA
Tashnizi
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and Transplant Research Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Seyed Ziaollah
SZ
Haghi
Department of Community Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Maryam
M
Salehi
Department of Medical Science, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Ata'ollah
A
Rajabnejad
Department of Medical Science, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Mohsen Hatami Ghale
MH
Safa
Department of General Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and Transplant Research Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Mohammad
M
Vejdani
Coronary artery bypass; Deep sternal wound infection; Medistinitis; Morbidity; Pectoralis muscle turnover flap