Management of deep sternal wound infection: Complete sternal osteomyelitis

Abstract

Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery is a challenging complication that affects the outcome of surgery. The worst type of DSWI is mediastinitis and sternal osteomyelitis, which dramatically increase morbidity, mortality, and cost of care. This case report describes successful treatment of sternal osteomyelitis after open heart surgery with combined negative pressure wound therapy and rectus abdominis flap. This combination of negative pressure wound therapy with rectus abdominis flap in treating sternal osteomyelitis after open cardiac surgery is not well studied.