Mediastinitis and sternal prosthesis infection successfully treated by minimally invasive omental flap transposition

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2013 Feb 25:8:30. doi: 10.1186/1749-8090-8-30.

Abstract

Purulent mediastinitis is a possible serious complication after mediastinal surgery. We report the case of a localized sternal plasmocytoma treated by sternectomy and prosthetic repair, who needed a second surgery for a fistulizing mediastinitis. Five months earlier, in another Hospital, the patient underwent sternal resection and reconstruction with a "sandwich" prosthesis (Methyl-methacrylate and Marlex mesh). Suppurative mediastinitis occurred and septic shock resolution was observed after the spontaneous opening of a mediastinal cutaneous fistula. After referring to our Unit the patient underwent extensive local and systemic preparation and nutritional support; the infected prosthesis was then removed and the gap filled by a laparoscopically-prepared omental flap. Adequate preoperative management, removal of any infected material and minimally invasive omental flap transposition allowed the successful treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinitis / pathology
  • Mediastinitis / surgery*
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Omentum / surgery*
  • Plasmacytoma / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / surgery*
  • Sternum / pathology
  • Sternum / surgery*
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / surgery*
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / surgery