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[The use of the vancomycin paste for sternal hemostasis and mediastinitis prophylaxis]
Marcus Vinicius Ferraz de Arruda1, Domingo Marcolino Braile, Marcos Rogério Joaquim
1Hospital dos Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. vinicius@sbccv.org.br
Introduction:
Mediastinitis is one of the most feared complications for thoracic surgeons, being a significant factor in morbidity and mortality in thoracic surgery.
Objective:
To find a new alternative in order to prevent mediastinitis, reducing the morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
A retrospective study including 1020 patients operated between February 2002 and October 2005. Patients underwent bypass surgery and vancomycin paste was used rather than bone wax in all cases.
Results:
Patients were followed-up for 45 months; there were only five (0.49%) cases of mediastinitis; no deaths were observed.
Conclusion:
The use of Vancomycin paste to replace bone wax proved to be a great allied to prevent mediastinitis after thoracic surgery.
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