Reply to Letter to the Editor: Risk Factors Influencing the Outcome after Surgical Treatment of Complicated Deep Sternal Wound Complications

Peivandi A. A. , Kasper-König W. , Quinkenstein E. Risk factors influencing the outcome after surgical treatment of complicated deep sterna wound complications. Cardiovasc Surg, 2003, 11, 207–212.

Losanoff J. E. , Jones J. W. and Richman B. W. Primary closure of median sternotomy: techniques and principles. Cardiovasc Surg, 2002, 10, 102–110.

Losanoff J. E. , Richman B. W. and Jones J. W. Disruption and infection of median sternotomy: a comprehensive review. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 2002, May 21 (5), 831–839.

Culliford A. T. , Cunningham J. N. , Zeff R. H. Sternal and costochondral infections following open - heart surgery. A review of 2,594 cases. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1976, 72, 714–726.

Crosgrove D. M. , Lytle B. W. , Loop F. D. Does bilateral internal mammary artery grafting increase surgical risk? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1988, 95, 850–856.

Seyfer A. E. , Shriver C. D. , Miller T. R. Sternal blood flow after median sternotomy and mobilisation of the internal mammary arteries. Surgery, 1988, 104, 899–904.

Loop F. D. , Lytle B. W. , Cosgrove D. M. Sternal wound complications after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: early and late mortality, morbidity, and cost of care. Ann Thorac Surg, 1990, 49, 179–187.

Bojar R. M. Wound care and infectious complications. Manual of perioperative care in cardiac surgery. Blackwell Science, Malden USA, 1999, 3rd edn, pp. 395–398.

Borger M. A. , Rao V. , Weisel R. D. Deep sternal wound infection: Risk factors and outcomes. Ann Thorac Surg, 1998, 65, 1050–1056.

Rand R. P. , Cochran R. P. , Aziz S. Prospective trial of catheter irrigation and muscle flaps for sternal wound infection. Ann Thorac Surg, 1998, 65, 1046–1049.