Role of Negative Pressure Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sternal Wound Infections After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Sternal wound infections after pediatric cardiac surgery are uncommon but can be morbid.

Methods: We describe an institutional protocol for complicated sternal wounds utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Participants: A retrospective chart review (2001-2013) of 4,028 pediatric cardiac operations in 3,264 patients less than 18 years of age.