[Suppurative mediastinitis in the surgery of ischemic heart disease]

Results of the surgical treatment of 16 patients with anterior purulent mediastinitis following operations of aorto-coronary shunting and resection of heart aneurysm are analyzed. A closed method of the treatment was used in 8 patients with mediastinitis. An open method with wide opening of the wound and following secondary sutures was used in 4 patients. Patent aorto-coronary shunts were noted in 30,0% after the open method of treatment of mediastinitis and in 78,6% after the closed one.