[Negative pressure wound therapy for deep sternal wound infections: microbiological characteristics and antibiotic resistance].

Objective: To evaluate bacterial flora in patients with deep sternal wound infection and the effect of negative pressure wound therapy on eradication of the pathogen.

Material And Methods: There were 102 patients with deep wound infection after cardiac surgery. Mean age was 66.9±9.9 years. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 21 (20.5%) cases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - in 15 (14.7%). Wound debridement via daily dressings was performed in 64 patients; vacuum-assisted dressings were applied in 38 patients. Bacteriological analysis of discharge was carried out every week.

Unlabelled: Results. Mixed infection was observed in 38 (37.3%) patients. was the most common pathogen (=51, 50%), Gram negative bacteria were found in 36 (35.3%) patients. Negative pressure wound therapy ensured eradication of within 3 weeks while dressings were associated with only 40% decrease of the incidence of positive analyses (<0.05). Effectiveness of the method was not obtained for Gram negative bacteria.

Conclusion: Negative pressure wound therapy accelerates eradication of Gram positive pathogens but does not affect eradication of Gram negative microbes.