Application of the skin-subcutaneous-fascial-muscular flap on the superior epigastric artery to close the defect of the anterior chest wall

Abstract

We presented the case history of a 71-year-old patient who underwent sternotomy and aortic valve replacement, which was complicated by the development of poststernotomy mediastinitis. A good result was noted in the treatment with vacuum-assisted dressings at the stage of wound cleansing, followed by plasty of the anterior chest wall with a skinsubcutaneous-fascial-muscular flap on the superior epigastric artery.

Keywords

• poststernotomy mediastinitis
• chest wall defect, muscle flap
• rectus abdominis muscle