چکیده (انگلیسی):

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the proper treatment of infected
median sternotomy wounds.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the proper treatment of infected
median sternotomy wounds on patients with sternal wound infections from January 2007 to
July 2009. The characteristics of the sternal infections and the treatment outcomes were analysed.
Results: Ninety-seven patients with sternal wound infections were treated. A total of 32 patients
acquired the infection within one month after open-heart surgery, 10 patients got the
infection one to two months after the surgery, and 1 patient died two days after debridement.
There were 54 patients who acquired the infection beyond two months post-surgery, while 1
patient died on the day before the operation. One patient received four cycles of wound
debridement, 18 patients received two cycles and 78 patients only received one cycle. A total
of 14 patients received a vacuum-assisted closure treatment. There were 73 patients who had
surgery for repair of muscle flaps, 1 patient for breast tissue flap, 63 patients for pectoralis
major muscle flap, and 9 patients with rectus abdominis muscle flap. There were 12 patients
who received a transverse plate fixation of the sternum with titanium plating.
Conclusion: A positive prognosis can be obtained by the algorithm treatment based on the
onset and depth of the sternal infection.