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[Cost effectiveness of V.A.C. therapy after post-sternotomy mediastinitis].

Since November 2001 all patients with postoperative sternum bone infections were treated with V.A.C. therapy. The mean length of stay at intensive care unit was reduced from 9 to 1 day and reduces costs for 33 714.- USD per patient. Additionally patients who had to be closed with pectoralis muscle flap had significant reduced length of stay at ICU (1 vs 4 days, cost effectiveness 14 984.- USD per patient). The V.A.C. therapy after post-sternotomy mediastinitis significantly reduces morbidity and mortalità and is cost effective.

Adult↗

Use of free-tissue transfer in the treatment of median sternotomy wound infections: retrospective review.

The incidence of sternal wound infection following median sternotomy is 0.4 to 5 percent. Debridement and closure of the wounds with local and regional muscles, such as a pectoralis or a pedicled rectus abdominis, have been the mainstay of surgical treatment. Often, both pectoralis major muscles and the superior portion of a rectus abdominis muscle must be used to close large sternal wounds. Loss of these major muscles can be both debilitating and cosmetically disfiguring. Free-tissue transfer can be employed to limit the amount of tissue needed to fill the sternal defect. The authors present a series of 12 free-tissue transfers used in 11 patients to close large sternal defects in this subset of patients. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Partial loss of the skin island was noted in three patients. Two patients developed abdominal hernias after rectus abdominis free flaps. Free-tissue transfer offers the ability to close these large wounds, using one muscle, in those patients where pedicled rectus abdominis flaps are not available.

Female↗

Successful treatment of a Novacor LVAD malfunction without repeat sternotomy.

Implantable left-ventricular assist devices have been remarkably free of mechanical failures. We describe an uncommon Novacor N100 PCq LVAS malfunction caused by an internal short circuit of the device due to urine aspiration via the vent line. Device replacement was managed via a subcostal approach without sternotomy. Patient recovery was uneventful and successful transplantation was performed one month after the device exchange.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of the Bland-White-Garland syndrome in early infancy: subclavian to coronary artery anastomosis via left anterolateral thoracotomy extended by a transverse sternotomy.

The case of a 6-week-old girl with left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery (Bland-White-Garland syndrome) is reported. Therapy consisted of a subclavian-coronary artery anastomosis via left anterolateral thoracotomy extended by transverse sternotomy. This approach allowed both the easy dissection of the left subclavian artery and the use of extracorporeal circulation while doing the anastomosis. Operation and postoperative course were uneventful. Angiography after one year revealed a patent anastomosis and a totally recovered left-ventricular function.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

Omental transfer in acute and chronic sternotomy wound breakdown.

Median sternotomy is complicated by deep infection in 1-5% of cases. Internal mammary artery grafting (especially bilateral) may increase incidence and severity. Mediastinitis accompanied by sternal necrosis has a reported mortality up to 30%. The defect resulting from removal of dead bone requires reconstruction and skin cover. Twelve patients are presented in whom this defect was abolished by omental transposition. There were no deaths. Seven had chronically infected wounds (median time to operation 100 days) with very large defects following multiple debridements resulting in total sternectomy; these were treated by omental transposition and meshed split-skin grafting. Five were treated 'acutely' (median time to operation 28 days p less than 0.02) using smaller omental flaps and direct myocutaneous closure, despite total sternectomy being required in 4. One was bleeding from an infected aorto-saphenous anastomosis following povidone-iodine irrigation. Median total hospital stay in the acute group was 49 vs. 82 days in the chronic group (p less than 0.01) who also had 4 major complications (p NS). All wounds healed but further surgery was required to stabilise the chest wall in 1 of the 'Chronic' group. It is concluded that for severe sternal infection early radical removal of necrotic tissue, omental transposition, and direct closure reduces morbidity and hospital stay. In one patient bleeding from a septic aortic erosion we consider the procedure to have been life-saving.

Aged↗

Arteriovenous fistulas after median sternotomy--report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

We report 2 cases of arteriovenous fistulas as a very rare complication following median sternotomy. In the first case a fistula was observed between the right internal mammary artery and vein caused by a sternal wire. The second patient developed a fistula between the innominate artery and left innominate vein after suture repair of a slight hemorrhage from the innominate vein. The latter localization has not been previously described. In both cases the fistulas were discovered by a continuous murmur appearing 12 and 11 days postoperatively. The therapy consisted of resternotomy and resection of the fistulas. The literature is reviewed and etiology, diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

Adult↗

A comparative study of median sternotomy and standard thoracotomy wound skin closure methods.

Complications from skin closure after median sternotomy or standard thoracotomy incision, although uncommon, may be the source of undesireable morbidity and even death. A prospective randomized study of 3 different methods of wound skin closure has been carried out in 205 patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. These methods were: 1. continuous nylon vertical mattress suture; 2. continuous subcuticular absorbable (Dexon) suture; 3. adhesive sutureless skin closure (Op-Site). All wounds were examined by independent observers at 5, 10 and 45 days after operation, and the findings were graded from 0 to 4. At 5 days, assessments were made of inflammation, edema, discharge and infection. At 10 days, attention was paid to the state of wound healing, and at 45 days to the final cosmetic appearance. The use of continuous subcuticular Dexon suture resulted in less discharge than Op-site (p less than 0.001) and less swelling or redness than nylon (p less than 0.001). Assessment of the final cosmetic appearance of the wound 6 weeks following surgery showed subcuticular Dexon to be superior to either nylon (p less than 0.01) or Op-site (p less than 0.01).

Adhesives↗

Closure of longitudinal sternotomy with absorbable sutures.

In a consecutive series of 150 patients who underwent open heart surgery, absorbable suture (PDS-Ethicon) were used for the closure of median sternotomy. One patient developed sternal dehiscence; wound complications or incompatibility with the suture material did not occur. With the technique of "double" PDS sutures, rapid and secure sternal closure can be performed even in cases of friability of the sternum without cutting through the sternal bone.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Aspergillus osteochondritis after median sternotomy. Combined operative treatment and drug therapy with amphotericin B.

A case of Aspergillus fumigatus osteochondritis after median sternotomy for open heart surgery is presented. To the best of our knowledge, it is the second well documented case that has been reported in the literature. Successful healing was obtained with combined operative treatment (consisting of a large resection of the 8th, 9th and 10th right costal cartilages and surrounding soft tissues), and systemic drug therapy with Amphotericin B. Repeated serologic studies and bone scans were used for both the diagnosis and monitoring of the evolution of the infection; these 2 tools are recommended in cases of mycotic infections in that area.

Amphotericin B↗

New operative approach for large mediastinal teratoma in children--complete median sternotomy with lateral incision.

Experience on a large mediastinal teratoma which almost occupied one side of the entire thoracic cavity is reported. The first patient was operated on by standard thoracotomy incision and considerable difficulty was encountered in dissecting the tumour because of a narrow space between the large tumour and the rigid thoracic cage. The second and the third patients were operated on by complete median sternotomy with lateral incision (a T-shaped incision) and no difficulty was encountered. This new approach allows all aspects of the large tumour to be reached under direct vision. Dissecting the median side of the tumour which might adhere to the important mediastinal structures would be carried out with minimum risk. No respiratory and circulatory impairment by compression of the healthy lung and mediastinum by the tumour would result from placing the patient in supine position by this approach.

Child↗

Puncture wound during CPR from sternotomy wires: case report and discussion of periresuscitation infection risks.

Performing resuscitations presents multiple infectious risks to critical care providers. Potential sources for infection include direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids and possible inoculation through needlestick injuries. In this article, we present a case of a cardiac care unit nurse who, while providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, suffered a puncture wound to her left hand from the patient's sternotomy wires from previous cardiac surgery. The patient died despite these resuscitation efforts. He was seronegative for human immunodefiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and the nurse's wound healed without complications. This is the first reported case of such an injury occurring during a resuscitation. It demonstrates how a subtle, invisible, and unrecognized physical risk could cause infection in critical care providers.

Adult↗

Energy density and numbers of treatment affect response of keloidal and hypertrophic sternotomy scars to the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser.

BACKGROUND: The 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser (PDL) has proven to be the treatment of choice for certain keloids and hypertrophic scars, but the precise fluence, numbers of treatment, and treatment interval remain anecdotal. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine whether the therapeutic outcome of the PDL varies with the energy density (fluence) of the laser pulses and numbers of treatment. METHOD: Ten previously untreated, erythematous, keloidal or hypertrophic median sternotomy scars of 10 patients were divided into 4 segments and were randomly treated with a 585-nm PDL at a fluence of 3, 5, and 7 J/cm(2) to 3 of 4 segments every 4 weeks for a total of 6 treatment sessions. One segment of each patient's scars was untreated and served as a control. Clinical improvement including scar height, erythema, and pliability was evaluated before treatment and every 8 weeks for a total period of 32 weeks. Self-assessment was also determined by patients on a 25% increment of improvement scale comparing week 0 and week 32. RESULTS: A significant improvement in scar height, erythema, and pliability was noted in all laser-treated scar areas. There was no significant difference in treatment outcome versus the fluence of the laser (3, 5, and 7 J/cm(2)), although there was a trend for lower fluences to show more improvement. Objective clinical improvement was seen as early as week 16, after more than two treatments were given. Multiple treatments (>2) appeared to provide a greater percentage of scar resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical improvement of scars after PDL treatment demonstrates no statistically significant fluence dependence in this study, but a trend toward better response with lower fluences is seen. In addition, multiple treatment sessions are suggested for achieving greater response.

Adult↗

Transposition of the great omentum for infected sternotomy wounds in cardiac surgery. Report of 16 cases and review of published reports.

The expanding indications for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and cardiac valves replacement have caused an increase in the number of sternal infections. The common treatment includes appropriate antibiotics, early debridement, and transposition of muscle flaps with or without skin grafts. When other treatments have proved unsatisfactory, we have used the great omentum for wound closure. During the last five years, 16 patients (10 women, six men, median age 63 years) underwent repair of infected sternotomy wounds by the transposition of the great omentum, after failure of pectoralis major or rectus abdominis muscle flaps (n = 9). Seven patients underwent transposition of the great omentum as the first choice. The omentum covers the sternal defect well and the closure was reliable.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic harvest of an omental flap to reconstruct an infected sternotomy wound.

Sternotomy dehiscence is associated with a high mortality rate. In most cases this complication may be treated by simple debridement and antibiotic therapy, but sometimes it is necessary to fill the sternal defect with viable tissue. The greater omentum seems to be the ideal tissue to be transposed because of its malleability, good vascularization, and high lymphatic tissue content. The transposition of the greater omentum usually requires a midline laparotomy for the preparation of the flap, with significant laparotomy-related morbidity. Laparoscopic access may represent an effective alternative for preparing and transposing the omental flap. The key points of the laparoscopic technique are (1) the coloepiploic detachment, (2) the section of the anastomotic arterial branches between the Barkow's arcade and the gastroepiploic arcade, (3) the mobilization of the greater omentum pedicled on the right gastroepiploic artery, and (4) its transposition into the mediastinum, taking care to avoid twisting the gastric greater curvature and the flap itself.

Aged↗

Transoesophageal echocardiographic monitoring of pulmonary venous obstruction induced by sternotomy closure during infant heart transplantation.

A case of an infant receiving orthotopic heart transplantation with over-sized donor heart was reported. Left lower pulmonary venous obstruction after sternotomy closure was detected by transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and the decision to delay sternal closure was made and the clinical outcome was very satisfactory. The usefulness of intraoperative TOE monitoring and postoperative TOE follow-up for infant heart transplantation, especially in those cases of size mismatch, was well demonstrated.

Echocardiography, Transesophageal↗

The management of infected median sternotomy wounds.

Extensive experience with infected sternotomy wounds treated by aggressive debridement and immediate, laterally based pectoralis muscle flaps has shown this to be a reliable and effective treatment for a major complication previously associated with high morbidity and mortality. This is a plastic surgery operation that saves lives and health care dollars.

Debridement↗

Paramedian sternal bone plate reinforcement and wiring for difficult sternotomy wounds.

Longitudinally oriented bone plates of stainless steel adapted to each sternal half after midline sternotomy provide a reinforced construct for transverse wiring. A method for placement of these 3.5-mm screw diameter plates in a supraperiosteal position is described. Clinical indications for use have included sternal osteoporosis, previous pull through of conventional wires, segmental sternal fractures, and obese body habitus. This technique is presented as a method to avoid sternal instability and potential wound infection for those patients at risk for sternal separation with standard wiring techniques.

Adult↗