Problems associated with local treatment of the sternum wound – a literature review

Post-operative sternum infection increases perioperative morbidity and mortality rates and prolongs hospitalizations. Sternal dehiscence is a rare postoperative complication observed after 0.2% to 5.0% of cardiac procedures with sternotomy. The aim of the study was the analysis of the available literature on related complications of sternum infection after cardiac surgery. The available literature from 2002–2020 was reviewed using the following key words: sternum infection, sternotomy, sternum wound infection. The PubMed and Terme­dia databases were used. For analysis, 65 studies were included out of 430 (retrospective studies, meta-analyses, and studies with a randomized control sample) dealing with the treatment of a sternum wound. In the course of the literature analysis, the collected material was systematized. Infection of the sternum wound is a serious complication after cardiac surgery, increasing the frequency of hospitalization, treatment costs, and mortality. Caring for a cardiac surgery patient requires the involvement of the entire therapeutic team before, during, and after surgery. The implementation of the recommended measures and wound management techniques reduces the risk of complications.