Review on risk factors, classification, and treatment of sternal wound infection

Table 7 Classification based on the depth and location of surgical wounds proposed by Anger and colleagues

Classification	Affected tissues	Wound location as the vertical extension
Type I	Skin and subcutaneous tissue	Partial	Upper/ lower
Type I	Skin and subcutaneous tissue	Total	Upper/ lower
Type II	Exposure of the sternum or ribs	Partial	Upper/ lower
Type II	Exposure of the sternum or ribs	Total	Upper/ lower
Type III	Bone loss of sternum or ribs	Partial	Upper/ lower
Type III	Bone loss of sternum or ribs	Total	Upper/ lower
Type IV	Exposed mediastinum	Partial	Upper/ lower
Type IV	Exposed mediastinum	Total	Upper/ lower

According to the anatomical changes and considering the depth and location of the surgical wound, the author puts forward the classification. The boundary between the upper and lower regions is the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle

ISSN: 1749-8090