10 research outputs found
Risk factors for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery – a retrospective analysis of 1700 patients
Reduction in deep sternal wound infection with use of a peristernal cable-tie closure system: a retrospective case series
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Surgical Zipper Technique versus Intracutaneous Sutures for the Closing of Surgical Incision
Exploring bacterial growth and recolonization after preoperative hand disinfection and surgery between operating room nurses and non-health care workers: a pilot study
Trends in postcoronary artery bypass graft sternal wound dehiscence in a provincial population
Prevention of sternal dehiscence with the Sternum External Fixation (Stern-E-Fix) corset – a randomized trial in 750 patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The main objective of this study will be to determine the effects of a new advanced sternum external fixation (Stern-E-Fix) corset on prevention of sternal instability and mediastinitis in high-risk patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This prospective, randomized study (January 2009 – June 2011) comprised 750 male patients undergoing standard median sternotomy for cardiac procedures (78% CABG). Patients were divided in two randomized groups (A, n = 380: received a Stern-E-Fix corset postoperatively for 6 weeks and B, n = 370: control group received a standard elastic thorax bandage). In both groups, risk factors for sternal dehiscence and preoperative preparations were similar.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Wound infections occurred in n = 13 (3.42%) pts. in group A vs. n = 35 (9.46%) in group B. In group A, only 1 patient presented with sternal dehiscence vs. 22 pts. in group B. In all 22 patients, sternal rewiring followed by antibiotic therapy was needed. Mediastinitis related mortality was none in A versus two in B. Treatment failure in group B was more than five times higher than in A (p = 0.01); the mean length of stay in hospital was 12.5 ± 7.4 days (A) versus 18 ± 15.1 days (B) (p=0.002). Re-operation for sternal infection was 4 times higher in group B. Mean ventilation time was relatively longer in B (2.5 vs. 1.28 days) (p = 0.01). The mean follow-up period was 8 weeks (range 6 – 12 weeks).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We demonstrated that using an external supportive sternal corset (Stern-E-Fix) yields a significantly better and effective prevention against development of sternal dehiscence and secondary sternal infection in high-risk poststernotomy patients.</p