Deep Wound Infection in Pediatrics after Open Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

urgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication requiring prolonged hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, wound care and dressings resulting in increased cost and resistant bacteria. 10 In pediatric cardiac surgery, Median sternotomy is the most frequently used incision for the correction of congenital anomalies. 1 Sternal wound infections (SWIs) are well described complications of cardiac surgery and can occur in 3% to 8% of children. Furthermore, the mortality rate can increase 2-fold after SSIs. Also, SSIs are associated with an increased length of hospital stay, readmissions, and higher health care expenditures. 12 In 1992 The National Nosocomial Surveillance System (NNIS) definitions (a modification of CDC definitions of surgical wound infections) classify SSI in cardiac patient as superficial wound infections, deep incisional infections, or organ space infections (Mediastinitis). 3