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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 67(01): 055-057
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603933
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy for the Treatment of Poststernotomy Wound Dehiscence in Neonates and Infants

Massimo A. Padalino
1   Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Medical School, Padova, Italy
,
Massimiliano Carrozzini
1   Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Medical School, Padova, Italy
,
Vladimiro Vida
1   Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Medical School, Padova, Italy
,
Giovanni Stellin
1   Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Medical School, Padova, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 April 2017

15 May 2017

Publication Date:
19 June 2017 (online)

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Abstract

We sought to analyze effectiveness and results of a vacuum-assisted closure system for the treatment of sternal wound dehiscence in newborns and children after cardiac surgery in our institution. Six patients with poststernotomy wound problems (large defects of epithelialization or mediastinitis) were treated with a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy. Median age was 5 months (range: 1–144); VAC therapy was started with negative pressure −75 mm Hg, continuously. All children achieved healing of the sternal wound and a subsequent closure after a median length of treatment of 8.3 days (range: 4–14). In conclusion, VAC therapy with high negative pressure is safe, effective, and is a well-tolerated therapy in pediatric patients with either early- or late poststernotomy wound dehiscence.

Keywords

chest wall - congenital heart disease - CHD - pediatric - wound healing - wound infection
 

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