Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Prevention of Poststernotomy Infection

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Prevention of Wound Infection After Heart Surgery

This prospective study evaluates the role of negative pressure wound therapy or wound VAC as a dressing over the incision to prevent poststernotomy wound infection in high risk patients.

Surgical site infection after cardiac surgery is a major cause for increased morbidity and mortality. Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) has been used in the management of open and infected wounds. However, its effectiveness as a prophylactic measure for prevention of surgical site infection after routine cardiac surgery is unknown.

Inclusion criteria:

1. Transplant patients
2. BMI >30
3. Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetics
4. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
5. Steroid-dependent patients
6. Previous Tracheostomy

Exclusion criteria:

1. BMI<30
2. Thoracotomy