Surgery for osteomyelitis of sternum and costal chondritis due to thoracotomy

AIM: To explore the surgical treatment for osteomyelitis of sternum and costal chondritis due to thoracotomy. METHODS: For those with chondritis of a single rib, the involved costal cartilage was directly cut from the obvious pressure pain spot. For those with chondritis of many ribs, the involved ribs were cut from the scar of thoracotomy. For those with osteomyelitis of sternum and chondritis, secreta was cultured, drug sensitive test was performed, and sinus contrast examination was done to determine the range involved before the operation. In the operation, the sternum and cartilage involved were cut and the back of the sternum was also inspected to clear the soft tissues infected. On the opposite side of the chest, musculocutaneous flaps from the great pectoral muscles were transferred to the cut-off part of the sternum. After the operation, instillation and drainage should be performed and sensitive antibiotics should be administered. RESULTS: All of the 17 patients were satisfactorily treated and the wounds healed three weeks after the operation. CONCLUSION: Cut-off of the infected costal cartilages is an effective way in the treatment of costal chondritis and the transfer of musculocutaneous flaps from the great pectoral muscles is an effective way to repair osteomyelitis of the sternum due to thoracotomy.