Efficiency of an algorithm for the prevention of sternal infection after cardiac surgery in children under 1 year of age: A single-center retrospective study

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-05, Vol.10 (9), p.e29991-e29991, Article e29991
• Main Authors: Suvorov, V.V., Zaitsev, V.V., Gvozd, E.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complication in pediatric cardiac surgery; Infection in pediatric cardiac surgery; Mediastinitis; Sternal infection; Sternal instability; Wound infection in pediatric
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29991

Sternal infection is one of the most challenging complications to manage after heart surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a developed algorithm for preventing sternal infection in pediatric patients after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). We conducted a single-center study examining the treatment of 478 children with CHD. Patients were divided into 2 groups, taking into account the application of a developed management algorithm. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing the development of sternal infection following heart surgery using median sternotomy. A developed algorithm was applied in 308 children. In total, there were 16 cases of sternal infection (3.34 %) across both groups. Deep wound infection developed in 6 patients (1.26 %). Sternal infection developed in 2 children (0.65 %) in the first group (in which the algorithm was applied) and 14 children (8.2 %) in the second group. Deep sternal infection developed in 1 patient in the first group (0.33 %) and in 5 patients in the second group (2.94 %). As a result, perioperative risk factors as postoperative resternotomy (OR 23.315; p