Treatment of deep sternal wound infection with V.A.C.® therapy in combination with local application of antibacterial honey

• Published in: The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
• Main Authors: Schimmer, C, Bensch, M, Sommer, SP, Elert, O, Leyh, R
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2008
• ISSN: 0171-6425; 1439-1902
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038073

Objectives: It is well known that antibacterial honey (Medihoney®) has been effective in the treatment of various types of wounds, but there is not any information in the literature about the usage of local application of Medihoney® in combination with V.A.C.® therapy in the treatment of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). Methods: We report about our experience with a series of 8 patients treated for DSWI with the V.A.C.® therapy in combination with local application of Medhoney®. Results: There were no local or systemic adverse reactions to the treatment, specifically no hyperglycaemia. All patients showed marked clinical improvement. After V.A.C.® therapy and secondary thoracic closure by plastic reconstruction all patients went on to complete wound healing. The wounds were clean and steril in 6 patients after a mean duration of treatment of 23 days (range 9–29 days) and an application frequency of 6 times (range 5–8 times). Repeat positive wound cultures, definded as wound cultures positive longer than 30 days were positive in 2 patients. However, these two patients achieved only intermittent application of Medihoney®. No nosocomially acquired superinfections (including Methicillin-resistent Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-resistent Enterococci) were seen. Conclusion: This was an observentional study with no control group. However, we conclude that antibacterial honey (Medihoney®) in combination with the V.A.C.® therapy is useful in the treatment of DSWI. Based on our first experience, we conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the influence of Medihoney® in the treatment of DSWI.