Source
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jprice@ottawaheart.ca
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Management of the sternal wound after extensive debridement continues to be a resource-intensive problem in cardiac surgery. There are a number of techniques available to achieve definitive closure of these wounds, all of which have limited effectiveness or are associated with serious complications. This article describes the use of a novel elastic system that approximates these wounds gradually, achieving dynamic wound closure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of this system.
DESCRIPTION:
We report our initial series of 3 patients who underwent dynamic wound closure using a novel elastomer system after debridement for sternal wound infection.
EVALUATION:
All patients achieved satisfactory healing with a mean duration of 29 days of treatment without additional procedures.
CONCLUSIONS:
Dynamic wound closure is an effective and feasible method of dealing with the open sternotomy wound after debridement.