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Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Luong D, Bell D, et al. Post-sternotomy complications. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-64682
Post-sternotomy complications comprise a varied range of complications that can occur at varying intervals following a median sternotomy.
Complication rates for median sternotomy have been reported to range from 0.5-5% and mortality rates ranging from 7-80%.
They are perhaps best divided into presternal, sternal and post-sternal compartments:
Presternal
- cellulitis
- sinus tract formation
- presternal abscess formation
Sternal
Post-sternal/retrosternal
- expected post-surgical appearances: can persist for around 2-3 weeks
- small foci of mediastinal gas: usually resolve by around 7 days postoperatively but can persist longer
- defects in the sternum (including of gaps up to 4 mm in width)
- step-offs (sternal tables at different levels)
- impaction (overriding of the sternal halves)
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