LEG WOUND INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION

Background Wound infections after saphenous vein harvest for coronary revascularization are common but they are infrequently examined. The a im of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for infect ion and the possible beneficial effects of saline lavage. Methods: Fro m April 1996 to July 1996, 152 consecutive patients who underwent saph enous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass graft were recruited. Fa ctors that may influence infection rates were analysed. Results: A tot al of 22 of the 125 (18%) patients included in the present study devel oped a wound infection. The length of the wound was the only variable found to have a statistically significant association with wound infec tion. In the analysis of patients with multiple leg wounds, the develo pment of infection correlated with the absence of mechanical wash-out. Conclusion: The use of saline lavage may prevent wound infections by diluting the bacterial population prior to closure. The use of antisep tic or antibiotic lavage may offer an additional benefit.