Browsing by Author "Phalafala, Refilwe Palesa Mokgadi"

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    A Multicenter Retrospective audit on the treatment modalities of sternal sepsis: A 10-year review
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Phalafala, Refilwe Palesa Mokgadi; Ndobe, Elias; Fru, Pascaline
    Background: Mediastinitis is a life-threatening complication, of a septic sternal wound. The key treatment is for early radical debridement and adequate reconstruction. The aim of this study was to perform a comparative review of the management modalities undertaken on patients with sternal sepsis from 2007–2017 at one public and two private surgical practices in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methodology: The study was a retrospective series of 120 chronologically selected patients from three hospital units (40 from each unit): The Cardiothoracic Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH - public) and two private plastic surgery practices within Netcare Milpark Hospital (NMH). The patients were categorized into three groups: 1) Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC), 2) VAC and reconstruction (muscle flaps or alloplastic material) and 3) reconstruction alone (muscle flaps or alloplastic material). Results: Of the120 patients, the median age, was 58yrs (19yrs – 89yrs). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity. Patients in NMH were more likely to undergo VAC dressing for a shorter period. Patients in NMH were more likely to be reconstructed with a flap (44%, n=35/78), of which the bilateral pectoralis major flaps (19%, n=43) was more frequent. Out of the 120 patients, 61% had one debridement and VAC therapy as a temporizing modality prior to reconstruction. CMJAH had a higher mean length of hospital stay of 41 days and re-do operations 27% (n=11/40) compared to NMH which had a mean hospital stay of 31 days and a re-do operations of 16% (n= 13/78). Plastic surgeons were more likely to be involved in initial debridement’s in NMH 96% (n=32/33) compared to CMJAH with 3% (n= 1/33). Conclusion: NMH, private hospital, demonstrated to have statistically significant better outcomes with a shorter hospital stay compared to its counterpart CMJAH, public hospital, with regards to management of sternal sepsis. NMH, showed a shorter VAC dressing period to be an effective temporizing modality, however the most efficient management of, sternal sepsis, would be to involve a plastic surgeon early on for radical and fewer number of debridements, and early reconstruction. The bilateral pectoralis major flap was the option of choice in this study. The incidence of sternal sepsis from both hospitals was in keeping with international rates.