Alternatives in the treatment of prosthetic infection after the Bentall-de Bono operation.

Method In case 1, three months after hospital discharge, a small fistula in the upper sternal scar was observed. When it was explored surgically, the fistula affected the superiorposterior part of the sternum and the pericardium was covering the prosthesis except in a small area over the left distal anastomosis of the dacron graft, which had a drop of pus. Cases 2 and 3 presented clear mediastinitis, with fever, leucocytosis and purulent effusion around the conduit, at 7 and 10 days after Bentall procedure. In case 1 s. Epidermidis was isolated and in cases 2 and 3 enterococci were cultured.