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. 1980 Mar;7(1):104–111.

Wound complications after median sternotomy: A study of 61 patients from a consecutive series of 9,279

David A Ott 1, Denton A Cooley 1, Robert T Solis 1, Clanton B Harrison III 1
PMCID: PMC287839  PMID: 15216289

Abstract

Among a consecutive series of 9,279 sternotomies performed during a period of 2½ years, 61 (0.66%) patients developed significant wound complications. Of these, 58 (95.1%) survived. Sternal infection occurred in 36 patients (0.39%). Predisposing factors included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, closed chest massage, prolonged assisted ventilation, and excessive bleeding after operation. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) did not, in itself, predispose to sternal dehiscence. Intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments caused excessive coughing, which may have increased the likelihood of dehiscence. Disposable drapes and expeditious surgery probably contributed to the low incidence of wound infection. Early diagnosis, surgical debridement, rewiring and primary closure with substernal drainage, without continuous antibiotic irrigation, resulted in satisfactory resolution in most patients.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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