[Deep sternal wound infection after sternotomy - Report of the consensus workshop of the German-Speaking Society for Microsurgery of Peripheral Nerves and Vessels (DAM)].

Deep sternal wound infection (TSWI) is a potentially life-threatening complication that may occur after median sternotomy, contributing to prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. Bacterial infection is often characterized by biofilm formation on implant material and/or dead bone. Diagnosis is made upon clinical signs and symptoms of local and systemic infection. Early multidisciplinary decision making is needed for optimal patient care. Repeated surgical wound debridements accompanied by wound conditioning are performed until clean circumstances are achieved. Thereafter, wound closure and defect reconstruction are obtained using a variety of pedicled and microvascular flaps.