An antibiotic loaded ceramic sternum to treat destroyed infected sternum: 4 cases

After its destruction during refractory deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), current sternum reconstructions mainly rely on muscle flaps technique, but such technique have pitfalls and limits. To tackle the limited possibilities to use device implantation because of the risk of infection, we developed a self-protected device allowing its implantation in an infected area.

We used gentamicin alone or in combination with vancomycin loaded in a porous ceramic sternum to replace sternums destroyed during DSWI. The aim was to mechanically replace the sternum and to secure the implantation by killing the remaining bacteria in the wound thanks to the loaded antibiotic.

This device was implanted in four infected patients during DWSI with sternal dehiscence. No complication occurred during surgeries, and wound healing was obtained quickly. Local antibiotic concentrations largely exceeded the ones needed for their efficacy while no antibiotic was found in the blood. All patients are well-being. However previously unknown gentamicin resistant bacteria, present in the surgical wound at the time of positioning, required sternal implant removal for one patient after 19 months. For all patients, pulmonary function tests (PFT) improved after implantation.

The ceramic sternum played its role consolidating the thoracic cage without stiffening. The antibiotic loaded in the sternum allowed a secure implantation, killing bacteria before the colonization of the implant even in this infected area. These four implantations are promising for patients with sternal destruction after DSWI.