Deep sternal osteomyelitis: an algorithm for reconstruction based on wound width.

Patients with sternum osteomyelitis are transferred to plastic surgery departments for wound coverage. Several options of flap coverage are known; however, various wound diameters need different flaps. In a retrospective study, 135 patients from 2006-2010 with deep sternal wound infections were evaluated. From 2006-2009 various flaps were used for wound coverage, as described in published reports. In 2010 a developed algorithm was used for defect coverage based on wound width using pectoralis muscle flaps or the latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Two groups of patients were analyzed, from 2006-2009 and 2010, and in a matched pair analysis patients with small wound width less than 6 cm, medium wounds widths between 6-12 cm, and large wound width larger than 12 cm. End-point was wound dehiscence larger than 1 cm. Statistical analysis was done by Mann Whitney U-test using the SPSS program. Forty-eight patients were included in the match from a total of 130 study patients. Statistical analysis did not show significant difference in patient population of the two groups. In the group with wound sizes less than 6 cm a significant difference was found when using the algorithm. In the other groups no statistically significant difference was seen; however lesser numbers in wound dehiscence were found. In addition, a significantly lesser length of stay was found in the ICU and length of the hospital stay for all groups treated according to the algorithm. A reduction of costs may be achieved when using the algorithm based on wound size.