Table 5 Classification according to infection and sternum damage by Rupprecht et al. in 2013
From: Review on risk factors, classification, and treatment of sternal wound infection
Classification | Description | Treatment strategy |
|---|---|---|
Type I | Noninfectious sternal instability | It is treated by rewiring, classical or Robicsek, or plating according to sternal bone status. |
Type II | Deep sternal wound infection without sternal instability | It is managed by debridement, antibiotics and either primary closure, if the wound is clean, or delayed primary after NPWT using either muscle or omental flaps. |
Type III | Deep sternal wound infection with sternal instability | They recommended continuous antibiotic tube irrigation with closure of the wound or leaving the mediastinum open, packed with towels or using NPWT. Later on, soft tissue reconstruction is achieved with pectoral flaps. |