riclosan-Coated Sutures for the Reduction of ternal Wound Infections: Economic Considerations

a a i r s c p Background. Sternal wound infections are a major omplication after cardiac surgery in terms of morbidity nd cost increase. To decrease the incidence of infection, e evaluated triclosan-coated sutures for the closure of he sternal incision, as it is known that most of the urgical site infections are related to the incision site. Methods. From May to December 2005, a total of 479 atients underwent a cardiac surgical procedure. From hose, 103 patients were closed with triclosan-coated uture material (cost per patient $30 [in United States ollars]), whereas the remaining 376 patients had their ncision closed with noncoated sutures (cost per patient 21). Results. During the study period, 24 patients had uperficial (n 10) or deep (n 14) sternal wound