The concept of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) after poststernotomy mediastinitis – a single center experience with 54 patients

Table 1 Classification of mediastinitis in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Class	Description
Type I	Mediastinitis presenting within 2 weeks after operation in the absence of risk factors
Type II	Mediastinitis presenting at 2 to 6 weeks after operation in the absence of risk factors
Type IIIA	Mediastinitis type I in the presence of one or more risk factors
Type IIIB	Mediastinitis type II in the presence of one or more risk factors
Type IVA	Mediastinitis type I, II, or III after one failed therapeutic trial
Type IVB	Mediastinitis type I, II, or III after more than one failed therapeutic trial
Type V	Mediastinitis presenting for the first time more than 6 weeks after operation

According to El Oakley and Wright [8] mediastinitis is defined as wound infection associated with sternal osteomyelitis with or without infected retrosternal space. Incremental risk factors for mediastinitis are diabetes, obesity, and the requirement of immunosuppressive agents. Failed therapeutic trial includes any surgical intervention with intent to treat mediastinitis.

ISSN: 1749-8090