Sternal reconstruction after post-sternotomy mediastinitis.

Deep sternal wound complications no longer spell debilitating morbidity and high mortality. Better understanding of risk factors that predispose to deep sternal wound complications and general improvement in theatre protocols for asepsis have dramatically reduced the incidence of deep sternal wound complications. Negative pressure wound therapy and appropriately timed and staged muscle or omental flap reconstruction have transformed the outcomes once these complications occur.