Immediate flap increases patient safety for deep sternal wound infection: A meta-analysis

[A new paradigm for the treatment of sternomediastinitis]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the results of simultaneous surgical treatment of sternomediastinitis compared to stage-by-stage approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 27 patients between October 2022 and March 2023. All patients underwent heart surgery through median sternotomy. There were 11 (40.7%) women and 16 (59.3%) men. Mean age of patients was 68.4±9.8 years. All patients were divided into 2 groups: 12 patients underwent partial necrectomy and vacuum wound therapy (or long-term dressings) before surgery (group 1), 15 patients underwent surgery without prior conservative treatment (group 2).

RESULTS

The most common causative agent of infection was staphylococcus (48.1%). In all patients, we found histological signs of osteomyelitis. Preoperative clinical status was similar in both groups. There were differences in the following indicators: C-reactive protein upon admission - 74.9±18.6 versus 94.8±23.8 mg/l, procalcitonin - 0.13 [0.02; 1.43] versus 0.21 [0.02; 0.94] ng/ml. Postoperative outcomes were similar in both groups. Mortality was 8.3% (n=1) and 13.3% (n=2), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous combined surgical treatment (sequestrectomy + muscle flap grafting) demonstrates optimal results in the treatment of sternomediastinitis.