Open AccessUse of an Extracellular Matrix Patch for Sternal Wound Dehiscence after Cardiac Surgery in a Neonate
Author(s) -
Anas Boulemden,
Simone Speggiorin,
Giuseppe Pelella,
A Lotto
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
texas heart institute journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.373
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1526-6702
pISSN - 0730-2347
DOI - 10.14503/thij-17-6239
Subject(s) - medicine , mediastinitis , wound dehiscence , surgery , dehiscence , ventricle , cardiac surgery , extracellular matrix , sternum , wound healing , cardiology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Management of sternal wound dehiscence in newborns after cardiac operations can be a slow and lengthy process, during which the risk of progression to deep sternal wound infection and mediastinitis remains a concern. We report the case of a neonate born with single-ventricle physiology who underwent a Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure as first-stage palliation toward creating Fontan circulation. The postoperative period was characterized by sterile wound dehiscence of the subcutaneous layers. We used a CorMatrix extracellular matrix patch as an adjunct to repair the wound defect. After 7 weeks, the wound had healed with excellent results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of extracellular matrix patch implantation for sternal wound reconstruction in a neonate.