Abstract:
Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is one of the most serious complications after cardiac surgery procedures, observed in 5% of patients. Current standard medical therapy for DSWI includes antibiotics, surgical debridement, resuturing or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Unfortunately, in some cases these methods are insufficient, and additional therapeutic options are needed. To assess the effects and usefulness of additional hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) in patients with DSWI after cardiac surgery procedures. A retrospective analysis of 10 patients after cardiac surgery who developed DSWI in the period 2010-2012 was performed. After 3 months of ineffective conventional therapy including targeted antibiotic, surgical sternal debridement and NPWT, patients were qualified for additional HBO2 therapy. A total of 20 sessions of HBO2 therapy were performed, each 92 minutes long. After 4 weeks of HBO2 treatment, 7 patients presented complete wound healing with fibrous scar formation. One patient was qualified for the another cycle of HBO2 therapy with 20 additional sessions, and complete wound healing was observed. In 2 cases, after 5 and 19 sessions, HBO2 was interrupted because of improper qualifications.
Litwinowicz, Bryndza, Chrapusta, Kobielska, Kapelak, Grudzień, , , (2016). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as additional treatment in deep sternal wound infections – a single center’s experience. Kardiochirurgia i torakochirurgia polska = Polish journal of cardio-thoracic surgery, 2016 Sep;13(3):198-202. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27785131