Current Management of Sternal Wounds

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the pathogenesis, classification, and risk factors of sternal wound infection. 2. Discuss options for sternal stabilization for the prevention of sternal wound infection, including wiring and plating techniques. 3. Discuss primary surgical reconstructive options for deep sternal wound infection and the use of adjunctive methods, such as negative-pressure wound therapy. SUMMARY: Poststernotomy sternal wound infection remains a life-threatening complication of open cardiac surgery. Successful treatment relies on timely diagnosis and initiation of multidisciplinary, multimodal therapy.