Modified prophylaxis for preventing deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.

In order to prevent deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery we decided at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital to revise our protocol for antibiotic prophylaxis by adding an application of local collagen-gentamicin between the sternum halves to our standard prophylaxis. In addition, we focused specifically on the wiring technique. This quite simple modification of the prophylaxis program has been successful. The infection rate during 2006 is the lowest rate we have recorded since we started measuring it in 1995. We conclude that with application of local collagen-gentamicin and modification of the sternal closure method we have been able to significantly decrease the incidence of wound infections after cardiac surgery.