[Infections in cardiac surgery]

[Postoperative sternomediastinitis: morphology of lesion, treatment strategy]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze bone tissue damage at different stages of disease (El Oakley classification), treatment options for each clinical situation and results after each approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 45 patients with wound complications after cardiac surgery between October 2022 and September 2023. Thirty-eight (84.4%) patients underwent CABG, 7 (15.6%) patients - heart valve or aortic surgery. Mean age of patients was 68.1±10.3 years. There were 35 men (77.8%) and 10 women (22.2%). The first type was found in 11 (24.5%) patients, type 2-3 - 19 (42.2%), type 4 - 4 (8.8%), type 5 - 11 (24.5%) patients.

RESULTS

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was observed in 7 (36.8%) persons of the 1st group, 14 (73.7%) ones of the 2nd group, 4 (100%) patients of the 3rd group and 2 (18.2%) patients of the 4th group. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin increased in all patients with the highest values in groups 2 and 3. Redo soft tissue inflammation occurred in all groups after treatment. Mean incidence was 25%. Two (10.5%) patients died in the 2nd group and 1 (25%) patient in the 3rd group.

CONCLUSION

The modern classification of sternomediastinitis does not fully characterize severity of disease in a particular patient. Simultaneous debridement with wound closure demonstrates acceptable mortality (within 10%). The highest mortality rate was observed in patients with diffuse lesions of the sternum. Less aggressive treatment approaches are possible for stable anterior chest wall.

Possibilities of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy at different stages of cardiac surgery

Nowadays, the evolution of cardiac surgery is impossible without a continuous improvement of all the treatment stages. One of the promising ways to achieve this goal is the active use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation. In this review, we present a short history of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy development in cardiac surgery, the pathophysiological and pathobiochemical mechanisms of its therapeutic effect and the scenarios for its use in the preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation of cardiac surgery patients. The introduction of hyperbaric oxygen therapy into cardiac surgery can improve the results of the surgical treatment, as well as reduce the times of the preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation of cardiac surgery patients, that will significantly increase the quality and efficiency of cardiac surgery.

[Local infectious complications in cardiac surgery: etiology and the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol, prevalence and etiology of local infectious complications after open cardiac surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort observational study was performed between 2010 and 2019 at the Ural Institute of Cardiology. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was performed using the main (cefuroxime 1.5 g IV every 6 hours) and alternative protocols (vancomycin 15 mg/kg IV every 12 hours).

RESULTS

The prevalence of local infectious complications throughout the entire follow-up period was 4.5±0.3% [95% CI 4.45-4.54]. There were 42 cases of deep infection (0.9±0.13%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci prevailed (15.9±2.5% of cases, 35 cultures). Resistant flora included coagulase-negative methicillin-resistant staphylococci (13 cultures, 37.1±8.2%) and representatives of Enterobacteriaceae family, producers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (8 cultures, 50.0±18.2%). Antimicrobial prophylaxis with vancomycin increases the risk of local infectious complications (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.20, 2.55, p=0.001). Both protocols of antimicrobial prophylaxis demonstrated comparable efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are the most common cause of local infectious complications in cardiac surgery. Modern antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens are relevant despite resistant flora.

[Thoracoabdominal hernia after treatment of chronic sterno-mediastinitis]

AIM

To analyze clinical course and develop surgical technique for thoracoabdominal hernia in patients after previous sterno-mediastinitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 7 (20%) patients aged 53-69 years with thoracoabdominal hernia after previous cardiac surgery followed by postoperative sterno-mediastinitis. Thoracoomentoplasty was used for treatment of this complication. There were 2 males and 5 females.

RESULTS

All patients underwent surgery aimed at translocation of the organs from mediastinum to abdominal cavity, restoring normal anatomical location of stomach, transverse colon and large omentum, stabilizing the thorax and closing the defects in the diaphragm and anterior abdominal wall.

CONCLUSION

Surgical indications are justified by stomach and transverse colon dysfunction due to their displacement to the mediastinum with threat of strangulation, cardiac compression by hernial sac, as well as chest instability. Combined approach allows to achieve recovery in all patients.