Comorbidity trends in patients requiring sternectomy and reconstruction.

Abstract

Though the incidence of sternal wound problems is rare (about 1%-5%), there is a significant population of older, renal-insufficient, malnourished patients who present days or weeks after one would normally diagnose and treat a deep sternal wound infection who have a significant mortality rate. Appropriate identification of risk factors, preoperative management and timing for aggressive surgical treatment is required to maximize successful outcomes in this problematic patient population.