• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.101-104
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• 1998

Partial splitting of the upper sternum provides an excellent surgical view in reconstruction of the intrathoracic trachea. However, when deep-seated mediastinitis develops postoperatively, it is difficult to manage especially when combined with sternal osteomyelitis. It also needs an additional consideration compared to the usual treatment modality applied to mediastinitis following a standard median stemotomy because the lower part of the stemum remains intact. We treated a 50 year old female patient with deep-seated mediastinitis and sternal osteomyelitis following resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea through an upper midline sternotomy. The patient underwent extensive stemectomy, omental free grafting, and pectoral myocutaneous flap. Postoperative viability of the free-grafted omentum was evaluated by angiography and CT scan.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.206-210
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• 1999

We report here 2 cases of deep-seated mediastinitis combined with sternal osteomyelitis after tracheal reconstruction which were successfully treated with sternectomy, in-situ or free omental transfer, and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. In case I, an 8 year-old boy with deep seated mediastinitis and sternal osteomyelitis that developed after anterior tracheoplasty through a standard midline sternotomy. In case II, a 50 year-old female patient with mediastinal abcess and sternal osteomyelitis that developed after resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea through an upper midline sternotomy. Treatments consisted of drainage and irrigation followed by wide resection of the infected sternum, placement of the viable omentum into the anterior mediastinal space, and chest wall reconstruction with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The omentum was transferred as an in-situ pedicled graft in case I and a free graft in case II. Both patients have recovered smoothly wit out any events and have been doing well postoperatively.