Delayed sternal closure for life threatening postoperative complications

ABSTRACT

In four years period, delayed sternal closure was decided in 22 patients. The main indications were uncontrollable bleeding [45.4%] and cardiac dilatation [54.6%]. In adults skin approximation was possible while young children synthetic membranes were used to cover the skin defect. Delayed sternal closure was possible after 24 hours in cases of bleeding and after 2-7 days in cases of cardiac edema. Three patients died before sternal closure and two died late in the postoperative period. The survival rate was 77.2%. The incidence of mediastinitis was 4.5%