[Mediastinal inflammation as a complication of heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation]

The authors describe mediastinitis in two patients operated on account of ischaemic heart disease. In both patients they used the closed approach which involved suture of the sternum and surgical wound, perfect drainage and the administration of antibiotics (general and local). They describe the applied method of fixation of the sternum. In both patients the sternum and surgical wound healed.