A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In pneumonectomy patients, is buttressing the bronchial stump associated with a reduced incidence of bronchopleural fistula?'. Fifty-seven papers were found using the reported search, of which 12 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal...

Results A consultant non cardiac thoracic surgeon managed 146 patients with DSWI and /or dehiscence. Nine patients were excluded due to sternal dehiscence with no evidence of gross infection and also negative wound culture. Eighty four patients were female. According to El Oakley classification, Type I, II, III, IV, V were 8, 2, 79,5,43, consequently. All patients evaluated by CT scan before in...

With an incidence rate of 1-4%, mediastinitis following cardiac surgery is a rarely occurring complication, but may show a mortality rate of up to 50%. Risk factors for sternal instability are insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, immunosuppressed state, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, history of radiation, renal failure, body height, smoking and nutritional state. ...