The hypothesis is that application of Mupirocin to the nose before and after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery will reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.

Mupirocin applied to the nares is effective in eradicating nasal carriage of Staphylococcus species. Abundant evidence has documented that a majority of gram positive surgical site infections share bacterial phenotypes identical with nasal phage types. Conflicting literature exists regarding the efficacy of mupirocin in reducing the incidence of surgical site infections. A randomized prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial is needed to help settle this question in the setting of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery where surgical site infections carry significant morbidity, cost, and mortality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults >18 years old undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery (CABG) with or without concomitant cardiac valve surgery or other cardiac surgery,
• Median sternotomy wound
• Capable of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to mupirocin or components
• Pregnant or lactating females
• Emergency surgery
• Pre-existing ongoing infection