[The management of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery]

Of 1067 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery from 1985 to 1992, 19 (1.7%) patients experienced sternal wound complications. All patients required operative intervention with positive bacterial cultures. Before 1990, a group of 13 patients were treated by continuous closed irrigation with dilute povidone-iodine solution. Four patients died (30%). In another group of 6 patients who received omental or pectral muscle flap transfer after 1990, 2 patients died (33%). The mean duration of hospitalization for mediastinitis was 63 days in this group, which was significantly shorter than that of the former group (105 days). From these experiences, we conclude that omental or pectral muscle transfer is an excellent method of management for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery, and is better than continuous closed irrigation method.