Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis

A new technique using vacuum-assist-ed closure was successfully applied in 3 patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis. After surgical debridement, this vacuum-assisted closure technique has made it possible to avoid the need for secondary surgical closure (including direct secondary surgical closure and secondary surgical closure by use of vascularized muscle flaps). A healed stable sternotomy wound can be achieved using this new technique. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.