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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;22:1029-1031
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

Vacuum-assisted closure in the paediatric patient with post-cardiotomy mediastinitis

Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Dalnair Street, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK

Received 17 January 2002; received in revised form 26 July 2002; accepted 21 August 2002.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-141-201-0251; fax: +44-141-201-9204
e-mail: ianrramnarine{at}hotmail.com

Mediastinitis has a high mortality and is a major cause for concern in the neonatal cardiac surgical population. Vacuum-Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) is a newly established technique for expediting healing in the management of wounds resistant to established treatments; this includes the treatment of post-cardiotomy mediastinitis in the adult cardiac surgical patient. We describe the previously unreported use of the V.A.C. device for the successful treatment of post-cardiotomy mediastinitis in an infant. The device also improved the mechanics of respiration. We discuss potential risks and benefits of V.A.C. and suggest guidelines for its use.

Key Words: Cardiac surgery • Sternotomy infection • Negative pressure therapy

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