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Vacuum‐Assisted Closure System in Newborns After Cardiac Surgery
Author(s) -
Filippelli Sergio,
Perri Gianluigi,
Brancaccio Gianluca,
Iodice Francesca G.,
Albanese Sonia B.,
Trimarchi Eugenio,
Carotti Adriano
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/jocs.12463
Subject(s) - medicine , mediastinitis , surgery , median sternotomy , cardiac surgery , sternum , anesthesia , wound closure , wound healing
Objective To analyze the effectiveness and the results of the use of a vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) system for the treatment of complex sternal wounds in newborns after cardiac surgery. Methods From May 2008 until December 2012, six patients developed post‐sternotomy wound problems (large defects of epithelialization or mediastinitis), which were treated with a VAC system. Median age at the time of institution of VAC was 24.5 days (range 16 to 65 days). Median time of treatment was 14 days (range 3 to 42 days). Results All patients were newborns and all underwent delayed sternal closure after cardiac surgery. The indications for using the VAC system were: mediastinitis in two patients (33.3%) and impairment of healing without signs of infection in four (66.7%). All children after VAC therapy achieved healing of the sternal wound. VAC therapy was started with high negative pressures (−125 mmHg) continuously then switched to an intermittent modality in all patients. Conclusion VAC system with high negative pressure is safe, effective, and is a well‐tolerated therapy in newborns with complex sternal wounds. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12463 (J Card Surg 2015;30:190–193)