Sternotomy closure using negative pressure wound therapy after heart transplantation

Summary Background Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is not a common but known complication and carries high mortality and morbidity rates. This report identifies a successful management strategy for recurrent DSWI, and it is a valuable addition to the medical literature supporting the management of sternal wound infections (SWI) along with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Case presentation This report describes the successful management of recurrent DSWI after OHT in a 52-year-old patient. We performed secondary sternotomy closure along with NPWT for the immunosuppressed patient. Conclusion Our case demonstrates that a combination of reduced immunosuppression, adequate antimicrobial treatment, and NPWT can effectively treat complicated DSWI.