Risk Factors and Management Approach for Deep Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiac Surgery at a Tertiary Medical Centre

BackgroundDeep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a rare but severe complication following cardiac surgery. Our study investigated the risk factors and treatment options for patients who developed DSWI at our institution between May 1988 and April 2008.MethodData was collected prospectively in a database and information on demographics reviewed retrospectively on 5649 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during this period.ResultsThe incidence of DSWI was 34/5649 (0.6%). These patients were older (mean age 66.1 vs. 64.5), more likely to die (in hospital mortality 11.8% vs. non DSWI group 1.8%) and had longer hospital stays (DSWI group mean stay 25 days vs. non DSWI group 9 days). Using Fisher's exact test the risk predictors for DSWI determined at our institution included diabetes managed with oral medications (p = 0.021), previous cardiac surgery (p = 0.038), BMI ≥ 30 (p = 0.041), LVEF ≤ 30 (p = 0.010), IABP usage (p = 0.028) and homologous blood usage (p < 0.001). Most commonly bilateral pectoralis major muscle flap (BPMMF) was used for treatment of DSWI (11/30, 36.7%).ConclusionUltimately our data was comparable to published data in the literature on known risk predictors.