Reconstruction after median sternotomy infection.

Area of Science:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Median sternotomy infections pose significant challenges in post-cardiac surgery care.
• Effective reconstruction strategies are crucial for managing this severe complication.

Observation:

• Ten patients with diverse cardiac conditions developed median sternotomy infections.
• These patients underwent surgical debridement and mediastinal dead space elimination.

Findings:

• Successful reconstruction was achieved using a combination of omentum and pectoralis major muscle flaps.
• Pectoralis major flaps provided essential chest wall stability.
• The reconstructive approach resulted in few complications, reduced morbidity, and no mortality in this series.

Implications:

• This combined flap technique offers a viable solution for complex median sternotomy infection reconstructions.
• Improved outcomes suggest this method can significantly enhance patient recovery and reduce long-term complications.