Aortic root surgery in septuagenarians: impact of different surgical techniques

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the impact and safety of different surgical techniques for aortic root replacement (ARR) on early and late morbidity and mortality in septuagenarians undergoing ARR.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety-five patients (73.8 ± 3.2 years) were operated and divided into three groups according to the aortic root procedure; MECH-group (n = 51) patients with a mechanical composite graft, BIO-group (n = 22) patients with a customized biological composite graft, and REIMPL-group (n = 22) patients with a valve sparing aortic root reimplantation (David I). In 42.1% (40/95) of these patients the aortic arch was replaced. Follow-up was completed in 95.2% (79/83) of in-hospital survivors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hospital mortality was 12.6% (12/95) in the entire population (MECH. 15.7% (8/51), BIO 19.7% (4/22), REIMPL 0% (0/22); p = 0.004). Two patients died intraoperatively. The most frequent postoperative complications were prolonged mechanical ventilation ((>48 h) in 16.8% (16/93) (MECH. 7% (7/51), BIO 36.4% (8/22), REIMPL 4.5% (1/22); p = 0.013) and rethoracotomy for postoperative bleeding in 12.6% (12/95) (MECH. 12% (6/51), BIO 22.7% (5/22), REIMPL 4.5% (1/22); p = 0.19). Nineteen late deaths (22.9%) (19/83) (MECH 34.8% (15/43), BIO 16.7% (3/18), REIMPL 4.5% (1/22); p = 0.012) occurred during a mean follow-up of 41 ± 42 months (MECH 48 ± 48 months, BIO 25 ± 37 months, REIMPL 40 ± 28 months, p = 0.028). Postoperative NYHA class decreased significantly (p = 0.017) and performance status (p = 0.027) increased for the entire group compared to preoperative values.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data indicate that valve sparing aortic root reimplantation is safe and effective in septuagenarians, and is associated with low early and late morbidity and mortality.</p

Omentum flap as a salvage procedure in deep sternal wound infection

Nick Spindler,1 Christian D Etz,2 Martin Misfeld,2 Christoph Josten,1 Friedrich-Wilhelm Mohr,2 Stefan Langer1 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Traumatology and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, 2Department of Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Center, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany Introduction: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWIs) are rare but devastating complication after median sternotomy following cardiac surgery. Especially in the presence of artificial material or inadequate preliminary muscle flaps, the pedicled omentum flap is due to its immunological properties, the predetermined flap in salvage procedures. Methods: We treated 14 patients suffering a mediastinitis and open thorax using a pedicled omentoplasty as a salvage procedure because of persisting DSWIs. Omentoplasty was performed in combination with a split skin graft and the wound was closed by a vacuum-assisted therapy for 7 days. The patients&rsquo; sex and comorbid risk factors supporting DSWIs as well as the postoperative complications were recorded.Results: Retrospective analysis of 14 patients (10 males and four females) after a follow-up time of 24 months was performed. The average age was 75 years (range: 67&ndash;83). Heart surgery took place electively in eight cases, in three cases urgently and three for emergency reasons. The preoperative Euro Score was 16 (range 3.51&ndash;42.58). We had no flap loss in any patients. The skin graft showed a full take in all patients. Two patients needed revision of an abdominal wound dehiscence after laparotomy and one patient developed hernia in the late outcome.Discussion: The greater omentum flap has, over many years, become an ideal partner in the coverage and treatment of DSWIs. Especially due to its immunologic capacity and amorphous structure, it has the ability to fill up cavities and cover infected artificial material so residual infections can be controlled. Keywords: deep sternal wound infection, omentum flap, reconstruction of the thorax, mediastinitis, DSWI&nbsp