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Ann Thorac Surg 2001;72:984
© 2001 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Correspondence

Management of sternal wound complications by high-pressure suction drainage via a polyurethane foam

^a The Cardiothoracic Centre, Thomas Dr, Liverpool, England L14 3PE, United Kingdom

To the Editor

We would like to congratulate Catarino and colleagues [1] on bringing to your readers’ attention the technique and results of high-pressure suction drainage via polyurethane foam (KCL Medical, Witney, Oxfordshire, UK). At the Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool, we also have had great success with this method of treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis. We have also used this device in the treatment of both superficial and deep sternotomy wounds with and without osteomyelitis.

One of the problems we have found with the polyurethane foam is that it adheres to the granulating wound. This makes it uncomfortable for the patient on removing the foam, and may damage the healthy granulation tissue. To overcome this problem we line the wound with a nonadherent porous dressing and place the polyurethane foam on top of this.

This technique has proved an excellent tool in the treatment of all sternotomy wound problems. In our experience it has produced faster wound healing, shorter hospital stay, and less discomfort for the patients as the polyurethane foam can be left in place up to 1 week, and it has proved cost-effective.

To fully evaluate this technique a randomized controlled trial is necessary. Because of the low incidence of sternal wound problems and multiple wound and patient factors, a large number of patients would be needed. The only way to achieve this would be a multicenter trial.

References

1. Catarino P.A., Chamberlain M.H., Wright N.C., et al. High-pressure suction drainage via a polyurethane dressing in the management of poststernotomy mediastinitis. Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:1891-1895.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Elaine M. Griffiths Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shackcloth, M. J. Articles by Griffiths, E. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Shackcloth, M. J. Articles by Griffiths, E. M. Related Collections Mediastinum Related Article