iBackground/ii:/i Sternal wound infection (SWI) remains a serious postoperative complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), contributing to increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and healthcare costs. The use of topical vancomycin powder has emerged as a potential strategy to reduce surgical site infections in cardiac surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical vancomycin in preventing SWI among Bangladeshi patients undergoing isolated CABG.i /iiMethods:/i This prospective comparative study was conducted at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, United Hospital Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2025 to June 2025. A total of 400 patients undergoing isolated CABG were enrolled and divided into two equal groups: the control group (n = 200) received standard antibiotic prophylaxis, while the other group received vancomycin group (n = 200). Postoperative outcomes, including incidence and microbiology of SWI, ICU stay, hospital stay and 30-day morbidity and mortality, were analyzed.i /iiResults:/i The overall incidence of SWI was significantly lower in the vancomycin group (3.0%) compared to the control group (9.0%, p = 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus (both methicillin-sensitive and MRSA) was the predominant pathogen. The vancomycin group showed significantly shorter ICU (3.2 ± 1.6 vs. 3.8 ± 2.1 days, p = 0.01) and hospital stays (9.8 ± 4.3 vs. 12.4 ± 6.5 days, p 0.001), with lower morbidity rates.i /iiConclusion:/i Topical vancomycin application effectively reduces the incidence of sternal wound infection and shortens postoperative recovery time without increasing adverse outcomes among Bangladeshi CABG patients.
Shanta et al. (Wed,) studied this question.