Sternal wounds seldom pose a serious threat in patients undergoing cardiovascular, thoracic or trauma management surgeries. However, when these complications occur, they are often considered as critical complications and require exhaustive management. This article briefly describes the surgical management of sternal wound complications. Sternal wounds are often a result of a median sternotomy, which provides great access during cardiovascular surgeries.
Sternal wounds can also occur due to the trauma and its management. In addition transverse sternotomy, performed during thoracic surgeries also create incisions. Sometimes these sternal wounds result in a serious complication of “sternal dehiscence” which further results in mediastinitis. Since these complications can be potentially life threatening, accurate, comprehensive and exhaustive management is warranted in all the major sternal…
