Treatment and prevention of unstable sternum after cardiac surgery

Objective To investigate the treatment and prevention methods of unstable sternum after cardiac surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment of 30 patients with unstable sternum caused by cardiac surgery through median sternotomp from 1st July 2012 to 30th September 2013 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zheng-zhou University was made,and the treatment and preventive measures were investigated. Results The postoperative unstable sternum rate was 3. 75%,with sternal ladder-type fixation,mediastinum debridement,irrigation and drainage,surgery in the lavage treatment,supplemented by systemic anti infection and the necessary nutrition,the heart function was improved,there was no mortality in early postoperative period. Conclusions Early diagnosis,mediastinum debridement irrigation after systemic anti infection and nutrition support is effective treatment method for infection of mediastinum after open heart surgery. Key words: Cardiac surgery;  Unstable sternum