Treatment of total sternal necrosis using the latissimus dorsi muscle flap.

Complications after a median sternotomy incision, which is used currently in most cardiac and mediastinal surgical procedures, although infrequent, are serious. If sternal dehiscence follows median sternotomy, infection extends to vital underlying structures, exposing the anterior part of the heart and ascending aorta. Permanent hemorrhage, septic thrombosis, or septic perforation of prosthetic material demand soft-tissue coverage. In 5 patients with total sternum necrosis the retrosternal space was covered with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap in order to achieve stable protection of the exposed mediastinal organs.