Pedicle flap reconstruction for treatment of infected median sternotomy wounds after cardiac surgery in overweight and obese patients: proposal of a management algorithm based on a case series analysis.

We conclude that wound width and BMI can aid the decision-making process for patients with infected sternal wounds after cardiac surgery requiring pedicle flap reconstruction. However, in our case series analysis, OB/OW patients were not found to be at statistically significantly increased risk for worse postoperative outcomes, but were associated with a longer duration of surgery.