Primary delayed sternal closure in adult cardiac surgery: a systematic review of protocols

Primary delayed sternal closure (DSC) is a useful tool in the management of certain critically unstable patients after cardiac surgery, but there is a paucity of consensus management guidelines. This review aimed to identify critical key areas in DSC management.

Systematic literature search was conducted in January 2023 and performed using Embase and PubMed. For original research articles were included that described outcomes and/or protocols for primary adult DSC patients, excluding articles on pediatric patients and secondary DSC.

Eleven retrospective review original articles examined protocols for adult patients undergoing DSC. Hemodynamic instability and uncontrolled bleeding/coagulopathy were the two most common indications. Time to chest closure ranged 22 hours - 8.7 days. A range of dressings were employed, including Esmark and VAC dressings, with about half of authors not disclosing details. VAC was endorsed by several authors specifically for management of uncontrolled hemorrhage/coagulopathy. There was no consensus regarding irrigation solution for mediastinal prepping, with or without antibiotic solution. There was a lack of consensus on antibiotic selection and duration, varying from 2 and 3 multidrug regimens of broad-spectrum antibiotics, with/without antifungals. Mediastinal re-exploration varied from undefined intervals to regimented 24-48-hour interval re-explorations, with final closures in the OR or ICU.

The optimum care for the patient with an open chest is evolving, and although there is a lack of a consensus DSC protocol, this review identifies mediastinal management, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and mediastinal re-exploration schedules/protocols as key areas for study to determine optimal care for DSC patients.