RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections represent a source of significant morbidity and mortality following median sternotomy. The use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in prevention has yet to be elucidated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted before and after a universal wound care protocol was implemented including the prophylactic use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The primary endpoint was sternal infections within 90 days of the index operation. RESULTS: In the control period, there was a 3.0% rate of sternal infection within 90 days compared to 0.8% in the intervention period (p < 0.001). An odds ratio of 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.57; p < 0.001) in the intervention period as compared to the control period was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a standardized wound care protocol including the universal application of NPWT for patients undergoing cardiac surgery with median sternotomy was an independent predictor of decreased rates of sternal infection.
