Vacuum therapy and pectoralis major muscle flap combination in treatment of sternal infections: A case report

Wound infections subsequent to cardiac surgery are challenging surgeons because of being life-threatening situations and these infections are among conditions that require multidisciplinary approach. Antibiotherapy, surgical debridements, regional or free flap surgeries are used by multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of sternal wound infections. Beside these known alternatives, some other methods are advanced for wound care. However; sternal instability, ventricular rupture and pneumonia may be mortal in many patient as the course of the disease. In this article, a negative pressure wound therapy and reconstruction with pectoralis major muscle flap was introduced for postoperative mediastinitis occurred in a diabetic, coronary bypass patient. A wound therapy, that controls infection and supplies wound care as an effective treatment alternative for highly mortal mediastinis cases.