The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Comparative Study
Peritoneal dialysis after surgery for congenital heart disease in infants and young children.
We determined the risk factors for peritoneal dialysis (PD) in young children undergoing open heart surgery and, in those patients requiring PD, factors associated with prolonged PD and mortality. ⋯ Risk factors for PD in young children undergoing open heart surgery are circulatory arrest, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and low cardiac output syndrome. The preoperative and postoperative cardiopulmonary status has a significant bearing on PD duration and patient survival.
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Comparative Study
Mediastinitis after pediatric cardiac surgery: a 15-year experience at a single institution.
The spectrum of sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery ranges from superficial infections to a deep sternal infection known as mediastinitis. Mediastinitis is a rare but clinically relevant source of postoperative morbidity and mortality in adult and pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Timely diagnosis, aggressive sternal debridement, and liberal use of rotational muscle flaps can potentially minimize the morbidity and mortality in pediatric postoperative cardiac patients. Subsequent redo-sternotomy has not been problematic.