Comparison of omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy mediastinitis

Background. Pectoralis flaps are frequently used to treat poststernotomy mediastinitis. We compared the outcomes of omental transfer, an alternative treatment for mediastinitis, with those of pectoralis naps. Methods. Patients treated for poststernotomy mediastinitis with isolated omental naps (n = 21) were compared with a group of consecutive patients treated with pectoralis naps (n = 38). Baseline characteristics were equivalent for the two groups, and both early and late outcomes were compared. Results. Length of procedure and length of postoperative hospitalization were reduced significantly and there were significantly fewer early complications in the group treated with omental flaps. Furthermore, there were no early or late flap failures or abscesses in the omental flap group. Conclusions. This study found that omental flaps had improved early outcomes and are a more effective therapy relative to pectoralis naps for poststernotomy mediastinitis. Technical considerations for omental transfer that could optimize results are given. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.