Risk Factors of Harder et al for Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in a Pediatric Patient Undergoing Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease with Delayed Sternal Closure

Patient selection: cardiac surgery with delayed sternal closure (DSC)

Outcome: surgical site infection

Delayed sternal closure is associated with a higher rate of SSI compared to other operative approaches.

Risk factors for surgical site infection in patients with DSC:

(1) more than 1 period of delayed sternal closure (odds ratio 5.9)

(2) use of ECMO during the hospital stay (odds ratio 2.9)

where:

• 92% of patients had a single period with delayed sternal closure.

• Patients at risk for SSI had a greater dependence on parenteral nutrition.

• The ICU mortality rate in patients with SSI was 42%.