OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of our treatment strategy for patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis. METHODS: Between May 1997 and December 2000, 1,045 consecutive adult cardiac operations were performed at our center. Mediastinitis occurred in 8 patients (0.77%) and as treatment, they underwent (1) aggressive debridement, (2) closed irrigation and drainage, and (3) transvenous administration of antibiotics. We irrigated the mediastinum with 0.1-1.0% povidone-iodine solution, alternating with electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution. We subsequently reviewed the outcome after the closed irrigation treatment for patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis. RESULTS: In four of the 8 patients, the culture specimen grew Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the others, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-negative rods were cultured. The mean period between primary surgery and the diagnosis of mediastinitis was 16.3 (8 -57) days. The mean period between diagnosis of mediastinitis and the start of the irrigation treatment was 0.8 (0-3) days. The mean irrigation period was 30.0 (14-47) days. The irrigation complications were mild hepatic dysfunction in 2 patients, hyponatremia in 2 and protracted wound infection in 1. The hospital mortality was 1/8 (12.5%). Seven survivors are free from recurrent mediastinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of closed irrigation and drainage suggests that it can yield satisfactory results after post-sternotomy mediastinitis, comparable to other reported results with or without muscle flaps.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of our treatment strategy for patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis. METHODS: Between May 1997 and December 2000, 1,045 consecutive adult cardiac operations were performed at our center. Mediastinitis occurred in 8 patients (0.77%) and as treatment, they underwent (1) aggressive debridement, (2) closed irrigation and drainage, and (3) transvenous administration of antibiotics. We irrigated the mediastinum with 0.1-1.0% povidone-iodine solution, alternating with electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution. We subsequently reviewed the outcome after the closed irrigation treatment for patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis. RESULTS: In four of the 8 patients, the culture specimen grew Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the others, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-negative rods were cultured. The mean period between primary surgery and the diagnosis of mediastinitis was 16.3 (8 -57) days. The mean period between diagnosis of mediastinitis and the start of the irrigation treatment was 0.8 (0-3) days. The mean irrigation period was 30.0 (14-47) days. The irrigation complications were mild hepatic dysfunction in 2 patients, hyponatremia in 2 and protracted wound infection in 1. The hospital mortality was 1/8 (12.5%). Seven survivors are free from recurrent mediastinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of closed irrigation and drainage suggests that it can yield satisfactory results after post-sternotomy mediastinitis, comparable to other reported results with or without muscle flaps.
Authors: J R Castelló; T Centella; L Garro; J Barros; E Oliva; A Sánchez-Olaso; A Epeldegui Journal: Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg Date: 1999-03
Authors: G Jones; M J Jurkiewicz; J Bostwick; R Wood; J T Bried; J Culbertson; R Howell; F Eaves; G Carlson; F Nahai Journal: Ann Surg Date: 1997-06 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: F D Loop; B W Lytle; D M Cosgrove; S Mahfood; M C McHenry; M Goormastic; R W Stewart; L A Golding; P C Taylor Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 1990-02 Impact factor: 4.330