sternal Osteitis and Mediastinitis after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Between 1980 and 1987, 31 cases of osteitis (n = 9) and/or mediastinitis (n = 22) were observed after 2,801 consecutive aorto-coronary bypasses (1.1%). Three types of treatment were used: 1) sternal debridement with osteosynthesis and continuous mediastinal irrigation (n = 25); 2) sternal and mediastinal debridement with open drainage without osteosynthesis (n = 2); 3) incision and debridement of sternal abscesses (n = 4). The overall mortality was 26% (8/31), i.e. 11% (1/9) for isolated osteitis and 32% (7/22) for mediastinitis. Four factors were statistically associated with infection: reoperation for hemorrhage (19.4%, p less than 0.001); preoperative diabetes (25%, p less than 0.001), postoperative low cardiac output (55%, p less than 0.001), postoperative respiratory insufficiency (45%, p less than 0.001)

Trocar site hernia: what is the incidence? How to prevent?

peer reviewe

Combined treatment of liver failure and hepatorenal syndrome with orthotopic liver transplantation

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of liver failure with high mortality. The pathogenesis of this reversible functional renal failure is not yet clearly understood. Diagnosis is based upon the association of clinical and biological criteria. A patient was admitted to our institution for severe liver failure secondary to an exacerbation of cirrhosis, where he developed a fulminant hepatorenal syndrome. Both, the renal and hepatic failure were successfully treated by orthotopic liver transplantation. Special attention was paid to the immunosuppressive treatment with Cyclosporine whose use, we believe, should be delayed until function has partially recovered