Managing sternal osteomyelitis with antibiotic bead implantation

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2006 Apr;14(2):e41-2. doi: 10.1177/021849230601400233.

Abstract

Early, aggressive debridement followed by closure with muscle flaps is thought to improve the resolution of deep sternal wound infection that occurs after sternotomy. However, persistently discharging sternal osteomyelitis remains difficult to resolve. We successfully treated 2 patients who developed deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery by combining one-stage debridement with implantation of gentamicin beads to fill up the evacuated bone marrow space. This approach provides a simple and effective solution for sternal osteomyelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Debridement
  • Drug Implants
  • Female
  • Gentamicins*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylmethacrylates*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteomyelitis / drug therapy*
  • Osteomyelitis / etiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology
  • Sternum*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / drug therapy*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology
  • Thoracotomy / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Gentamicins
  • Methylmethacrylates
  • gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate bead