What are the available options for the treatment of deep sternal wound infection?
Several options are available for the treatment of deep sternal wound infection. The main treatment is surgical debridement with primary or delayed reconstruction with vascularized soft tissue (pectoral muscle or omentum). Conventional treatment with pectoralis flap muscle or omentum is associated with procedure-related morbidities, such as destabilization of the thoracic cage, surgical trauma, and potential failure of the flap. In current practice, the vacuum-assisted closure system is often used in the treatment of mediastinitis. With it, local negative pressure is applied to the open wound, accelerating granulation tissue formation and increasing blood supply.