Efficacy of topical application of taurolidine 2% in promoting second intention healing of poststernotomy deep incisional wound infection

Background Surgical site infections following median sternotomy are common and can lead to extended hospital stays, prolonged courses of intravenous antibiotics, increased healthcare costs, and, in many cases, the need for repeated debridement or additional surgical interventions. Recognizing this significant unmet clinical need, we adopted an alternative approach in the present case report to address and resolve the problem. Case presentation We herein report a case of a 52-year-old female patient, that developed a deep incisional infection with localized dehiscence after a median sternotomy performed for left atrial myxoma removal. Klebsiella aerogenes was cultured from the wound swabs and, despite prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy and regular debridement we were unable to obtain culture negativity or wound healing over the course of several weeks. A commercially available Taurolidine 2% solution was employed every other day to irrigate the wound, which led to culture negativity within five days. Complete reepithelization was reached after a total of five weeks. Conclusion Reports of various taurolidine solutions promoting healing in complex wound lesions are scarcely available. In our case it proved to be an effective therapeutic option, preventing the need for additional surgical intervention and facilitating healing by secondary intention.