Sternal fixation techniques following sternotomy for preventing sternal wound complications

Sternal plate fixation for sternal wound reconstruction: initial experience (Retrospective study)

BACKGROUND Median sternotomy infection and bony nonunion are two commonly described complications which occur in 0.4-5.1% of cardiac procedures. Although relatively infrequent, these complications can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the initial experience of a transverse plate fixation system following wound complications associate...

Comparison of Alternative Rigid Sternal Fixation Techniques

Sternal reconstruction after post-sternotomy mediastinitis

BACKGROUND Deep sternal wound complications are uncommon after cardiac surgery. They comprise sternal dehiscence, deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis, which will be treated as varying expressions of a singular pathology for reasons explained in the text. METHODOLOGY AND REVIEW This article reviews the definition, prevalence, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, microbiology and ma...

Platelet-rich plasma inside the sternotomy wound reduces the incidence of sternal wound infections.

Despite the large choice of wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery is a life-threatening complication worldwide. This study evaluated that the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied inside the sternotomy wound would reduce the effect of sternal wound infections, both superficial and deep. Between January 2007 and January 2012, 1093 con...

A new approach for sternotomy incision--a possibility for improved sternal wound healing.