Abstract： Objective To introduce the early experience of using vacuum-assisted closure （VAC） in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Methods This report retrospective1y analyzed the clinical data of 12 patients who underwent VAC in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of CAPF between October 2010 and October 2011. There were 7 male patients and 5 female patients with their mean age of 64.3 years （ranging from 39 to 80 years）. All patients underwent operation via median sternotomy or lateral thoracic incision. All the wound dehiscence was deep to sternum or rib. After debridement of necrotic tissue, the wound surfaces were covered with VAC sponges, and intermittent negative pressure therapy was used. The VAC sponges were changed every 7-10 days. Results All the patients underwent an average of 2 times to change the VAC sponges during VAC treatment. After VAC treatment, the edema around the surgical wounds gradually disappeared, and the granulation tissue was refreshed. The overall conditions of all the patients were improved. The patients could leave their bed, walk in the ward, and look after themselves. Antibiotic treatment was no longer used. The residents checked up the negative pressure system every day to see whether it worked well. The patients were no longer afraid of changing dressing and pain every day. All the patients were healed, discharged from the hospital and followed up at outpatient department for a mean time of 7 months. Their wounds all healed well during follow-up. Conclusion VACsystem is easy to use. It can facilitate the healing of wound dehiscence quickly, decrease the inflammatory reaction of local wound and the body, and shorten the rehabilitation time. It’s also helpful to reduce the residents’ work load. It is recommended in the treatment of wound dehiscence after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
ObjectiveTo report the effect and experience of the extended resection and reconstruction of superior vena cava(SVC) and innominate vein for invasive mediastinal tumors.MethodsA retrospective study of 11 patients who underwent extended resection and grafts of SVC and innominate vein for invasive mediastinal tumor in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2001 to 2003 was performed. Radical resection was performed in 9 cases, among which SVC and left innominate vein were reconstructed with pericardium patch in 2, with prostheses(ringed GoreTex) interposed in 7.The other 2 patients who had incomplete resection also underwent prostheses interposition for SVC reconstruction. During operation, SVC and left innominate vein were clamped in turn,to avoid total interruption of blood return, clamping time for each site was 22.15±6.29 min. The volume of blood loss was 1 342.86± 692.48ml during operation.ResultsThe tumor included 4 invasive thymoma, 5 thymic cancer, 2 primary mediastinal small cell carcinoma. The patency was good in the grafts with external ring support and no SVC symptoms were observed in all cases postoperatively. One patient died of respiratory infection two weeks after operation, others are alive till now. The longest patent and functional graft is 30 months postoperatively.ConclusionSVC and innominate vein reconstruction by prostheses interposition can effectively eradicate the SVC syndrome. Clamping SVC needs careful study. Attention to the invasive extention of tumor should be made to avoid palliative operation,because complete resection is most important for long term survival.