Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Prevention of Poststernotomy Infection
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Prevention of Poststernotomy Infection
This prospective study evaluates the role of negative pressure wound therapy or wound VAC as
 a dressing over the incision to prevent poststernotomy wound infection in high risk patients.
Surgical site infection after cardiac surgery is a major cause for increased morbidity and
 mortality. Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) has been used in the management of open and infected
 wounds. However, its effectiveness as a prophylactic measure for prevention of surgical site
 infection after routine cardiac surgery is unknown.
Inclusion criteria:

 1. Transplant patients

 2. BMI >30

 3. Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetics

 4. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 5. Steroid-dependent patients

 6. Previous Tracheostomy

 Exclusion criteria:

 1. BMI<30

 2. Thoracotomy