Sternotomy closure using negative pressure wound therapy after heart transplantation
Published Online: Apr 09, 2023
Page range: 14 - 17
Received: Jul 14, 2022
Accepted: Feb 06, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/semcard-2023-0001
Keywords
© 2023 Modestas Gudauskas et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Background
Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is not a common but known complication and carries high mortality and morbidity rates. This report identifies a successful management strategy for recurrent DSWI, and it is a valuable addition to the medical literature supporting the management of sternal wound infections (SWI) along with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
Case presentation
This report describes the successful management of recurrent DSWI after OHT in a 52-year-old patient. We performed secondary sternotomy closure along with NPWT for the immunosuppressed patient.
Conclusion
Our case demonstrates that a combination of reduced immunosuppression, adequate antimicrobial treatment, and NPWT can effectively treat complicated DSWI.