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Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:754-755
© 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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How to do it

Alternative Bi-Pectoral Muscle Flaps for Postoperative Sternotomy Mediastinitis

^a Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Athens, Greece
^b Department of Surgery, Athens University, Medical School, Athens, Greece

Accepted for publication October 28, 2004.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Tomos, 16A Parthenonos St, Paleo Faliro 175 62, Greece (Email: periklistomos{at}hotmail.com).

Suppuration, mediastinitis, and disruption of median sternotomy are all rare, but nevertheless severe complications. We propose a simple mobilization of the two pectoralis major muscles for use as flaps to fill the sternal defect without the need for humeral detachment or a second cutaneous incision. These will be supplied from both the thoracoacromial vessels and the perforating arteries of the nongrafted internal mammary artery (IMA). Our technique is quick and easy, giving excellent results. Furthermore, by maintaining the perforating branches, we also preserve the nongrafted IMA.