Omental transposition for closure of median sternotomy following severe mediastinal and vascular infection.

Three patients suffering from severe sternal wound infection, underlying mediastinitis, and aortic sepsis were successfully treated by radical debridement of the infected tissues and mediastinal transposition of the greater omentum. Sternomediastinal antibiotic irrigation is an accepted treatment for postoperative sternomediastinitis, but appears insufficient when infection involves underlying vascular or cardiac structures. In such circumstances, extensive sternal debridement is mandatory and healthy tissue transposition, such as omentum, is a valuable alternative.