The primary question addressed was whether muscle flaps (MFs) offer a significant advantage over an omental flap (OF) in the management of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiovascular surgery in terms of outcome (morbidity and mortality). Altogether, 333 citations (from PubMed and EMBASE and using a manual search, without language restriction) were identified using the reported strategy. Focusing on publications from single institutions with experience with both types of flap in the treatment of DSWI, 16 studies represented the best evidence on the topic. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses were tabulated. These 16 observational studies covered 1046 patients, and all reported mortality rates. Unadjusted data from five of six studies investigating a possible association between mortality and flap type suggested a higher mortality rate following reconstruction with MFs. A meta-analysis of all six studies indicates a slight, but not significant, survival advantage for reconstruction with an OF [overall relative risk 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.58-2.88)]. Thirteen studies reported on the number of individual postoperative complications for a total of 964 patients. Data, unadjusted for potentially confounding surgical factors, on complications following flap closure, such as complete or partial flap loss, haematoma, arm or shoulder weakness and chronic chest wall pain, suggested that these complications were more common following MF reconstruction. Four studies evaluated patients with recurrent sternal wound infection (n=521). Two of these were associated with a high incidence (>17.5%) of re-exploration for recurrent sternal infection following MF reconstruction. The most commonly reported complications following an OF were abdominal or diaphragmatic hernias, with an incidence of <5%. We conclude that the weight of current evidence is insufficient to prove the superiority of reconstruction with MFs to a laparotomy-harvested, OF in the treatment of DSWI. The results suggest that use of the omentum may be associated with lower mortality and fewer complications.

The laparoscopically harvested omental flap can contribute to a successful outcome following deep sternal wound infection and deserves serious consideration in type IV mediastinitis in particular, regardless of the co-morbidity or previous abdominal surgery.

Negative-pressure wound therapy, commercially known as vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.®) therapy, has become one of the most popular (and efficacious) interim (prior to flap reconstruction) or definite methods of managing deep sternal wound infection. Complications such as profuse bleeding, which may occur during negative-pressure therapy but not necessarily due to it, are often attributed to a single factor and reported as such. However, despite the wealth of clinical experience internationally available, information regarding certain simple considerations is still lacking. Garnering information on all the factors that could possibly influence the outcome has become more difficult due to a (fortunate) decrease in the incidence of deep sternal wound infection. If more insight is to be gained from fewer clinical cases, then various potentially confounding factors should be fully disclosed before complications can be attributed to the technique itself or improvements to negative-pressure wound therapy for deep sternal wound infection can be accepted as evidence-based and the guidelines for its use adapted. The authors propose the adoption of a simple checklist in such cases.