Treatment of sternal infection after cardiac surgery with pectoralis major muscle flap plasty in 247 cases

Abstract

Objective To summarize the experience on the treatment of sternal infection after cardiac surgery, introduce the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap plasty. Methods The clinical data of 247 patients with sternal infection after cardiac surgery in our hospital from January 2014 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Including 176 males and 71 females, aged from 3 months to 92 years old(162 cases over 60 years old). Results 4 cases died postoperation. 226 cases with stage Ⅰ healing, 17 cases with stage Ⅱ healing(4 cases of tuberculosis infection cured by anti-tuberculosis treatment). 201 cases were followed up, 7 cases wound infection relapsed(6 cases with replacement of aortic dissection with artificial blood vessel, and 1 with congenital heart disease). The others had no recurrence. Conclusion The pectoralis major muscle flap inversion plasty for treatment of the median sternal and mediastinal chest incision infection after cardiac surgery can effectively cure the wound, shorten the treatment time, and prevent the secondary complications caused by wound infection. Most patients can obtain primary healing. Key words: Sternum infection; Flip flap of pectoralis major muscle; Cardiac surgical prodedures; Surgical debridement