title: A National Study of the Impact of Delayed Flap Timing for Treatment of Patients with Deep Sternal Wound Infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the impact of delayed flap closure on mortality and resource use for treatment of deep sternal wound infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors analyzed the Truven MarketScan Databases from 2009 to 2013 to identify adult patients who developed deep sternal wound infection after open cardiac surgery and who underwent flap closure for treatment. A multivariable logistic regression model was created to evaluate the relationship between mortality and flap timing. Multivariable Poisson regressions were used to investigate the relationship between flap timing and number of procedures, number of hospitalizations, and length of stay outcomes. A multivariable log-linear regression model was created for cost analysis. All analyses were adjusted for patient risk factors and treatment characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors identified 612 patients with deep sternal wound infection who underwent flap closure. The timing of flap closure was delayed more than 7 days after diagnosis in 39 percent of patients. Delayed time to flap closure greater than 3 days after diagnosis of infection was associated with higher mortality odds for delay 4 to 7 days (OR, 2.94) and delay greater than 7 days (OR, 2.75; p < 0.03), greater additional procedures for delay 4 to 7 days (incidence rate ratio, 1.72) and delay greater than 7 days (incidence rate ratio, 1.93; p < 0.001), and up to 43 percent longer hospital length of stay and 37 percent greater costs compared with patients undergoing flap closure 0 to 3 days after diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delay in flap closure was associated with greater mortality and resource use. Prompt involvement of reconstructive surgeons may improve quality and efficiency of deep sternal wound infection care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, III.
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Erika D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Sears
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Adeyiza O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Momoh
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Yu-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor, Mich.|From the Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, and the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Jennifer F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Waljee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult