%0 Journal Article %T Distal sternectomy for post-sternotomy chronic osteomyelitis %A Petrella, Francesco %A Arlati, Francesco %A Mariolo, Alessio Vincenzo %A Gennari, Marco %A Pirola, Sergio %A Polvani, Gianluca %A Spaggiari, Lorenzo %J Journal of Visualized Surgery %D 2018 %B 2018 %9 %! Distal sternectomy for post-sternotomy chronic osteomyelitis %K %X Sternal chronic osteomyelitis following median sternotomy is a severe complication of open cardiac surgery, presenting as purulent draining sinus tracts in patients with a closed sternal wound. First-line treatments are repeated curettages, conservative debridements, aggressive antibiotic therapy and the application of negative pressure to wound to accelerate the wound-healing process and promote granulation tissue formation, by using the vacuum-assisted closure device. Recalcitrant infections may require sternectomy and resection of all infected costal cartilages for complete eradication of the infection. Here we report a case of recalcitrant post sternotomy osteomyelitis treated by distal sternectomy and reconstruction by absorbable mesh. %U https://jovs.amegroups.org/article/view/21273 %V 4 %P %@ 2221-2965