Vacuum-Assisted Closure for Sternal Wound Infection After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Introduction: Vacuum-assisted closure of sternal infected wounds has been reported to improve morbidity and mortality, besides decreasing duration of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate early outcomes of vacuum-assisted closure of infected sternal wounds after coronary bypass surgery in our clinic. Patients and Methods: Sixty six patients who had sternal wound infection after coronary bypass surgery in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2019 were included in the study. After surgical debridement and removal of foreign materials, vacuum-assisted closure therapy was initiated at a mean postoperative 26.56 ± 5.5 days. After wound healing and negative cultures, treatment was terminated and sternal wounds were closed with appropriate procedures. Results: Fifty six patients (84.84%) had deep sternal infection and 10 patients (15.15%) had superficial sternal infection. Early mortality was 13.63% (nine patients), all having deep sternal infections. The most common microorganisms cultured were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean duration of hospitalization was 39.68 ± 2.48 days. No complications related with vacuum-assisted closure were detected. Recurrent sternal wound infection was not observed in any of the surviving patients. Conclusion: Our results confirm that vacuum-assisted closure of wounds is a safe and effective treatment option for patients who are not candidates for primary closure or early muscle flap closure.