Delayed Sternal Closure Following Open-Heart Operation

Open chest management after cardiac operations: outcome and timing of delayed sternal closure

“…Poor functional class and advanced cardiac disease requiring a prolonged operation are risk factors for post- operative instability and the need for OC [8,9,12]. This is evident in the preoperative characteristics of our 212 patients with OC.…”

“…Sternal closure has been shown to result in a significant decrease in cardiac output and diastolic filling, despite preserved velocity of fiber shortening, even in patients with good cardiac performance [9]. These effects are magnified in the presence of poor ventricular compliance secondary to ischemia, reperfusion, and edema.…”

Delayed sternal closure: an effective procedure for life-saving in open-heart surgery

“…Sternal closure in these situations may cause additional myocardial compression. Compression of the heart by its surrounding structures can limit the end-diastolic volume of the ventricles and in turn lead to decrease in cardiac output (4).…”

Delayed sternal closure does not increase late infection risk in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation

“…Early case series reporting initial techniques described skin edges that were closed over the open sternum. [1][2][3] Open chest management has evolved through experience into its present form that involves various types of patch covering over open sternum and skin. There is relative homogeneity of indications for and incidence of DSC, outcomes and complications across procedure types.…”