Surgical treatment of primary sternal osteomyelitis.

Four patients with primary sternal osteomyelitis are described. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the infective organism. Three of the 4 were heroin addicts. Limited surgical resection with preservation of the posterior periodteum is recommended for an infected sternum. Postoperative antibiotic therapy for a period of six weeks is also recommended. Preservation of the posterior sternal periosteum rather than conventional radical excision is important for maintaining physical stability and avoiding chest wall deformity in the group of patients.