Treatment of postoperative sternal dehiscence with mediastinitis: twenty-four-year use of a single method.

Objective: Postoperative deep sternal wound infection with dehiscence carries a high mortality rate, a high morbidity rate, and a poor cure rate. We developed a standard protocol of care to treat this complication, achieving primary closure and cure of the infection.

Methods: From January 1, 1981, through May 31, 2005 (24 years 5 months), we treated 114 patients with dehiscence and mediastinitis.