A SIMPLE MANAGEMENT OF MEDIASTINITIS

Between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1993, 6940 open heart procedu res were performed via median sternotomy at Hacettepe University Medic al Center. Mediastinitis developed in 55 patients (0.79%). Twenty-four were children, All were reoperated for treatment of mediastinitis, Fo llowing radical debridment 17 were irrigated with dilute povidone-iodi ne solution after primary reclosure (Group A), the remaining 38 were s imply reclosed while leaving just drains in the mediastinum (Group B). Hospital mortality was 17.65% in Group A and 15.79% in Group B, Time of hospitalization after treatment in living patients was 17.6 days in Group A and 16.3 days in Group B, A mortality of 15.79% is an accepta ble result which shows early radical debridment and drainage of the me diastinum is the most important cornerstone of the treatment of medias tinitis and is mostly enough with proper systemic antibiotic therapy.