Retrosternal gentamicin-collagen sponge does not reduce the incidence of mediastinitis in cardiac surgery

Methods Between September 2011 and June 2012 a total of 1372 consecutive patients underwent cardiac surgery at our institution. Of these patients, 1048 underwent elective procedures via median sternotomy, met inclusion criteria and were enrolled into the study. The complete cohort was prospectively divided into two registries. In treatment registry (543 patients), a collagen sponge containing 130 mg gentamicin was implanted retrosternal before sternal closure. In control registry 2 (505 patients) the sponge was not used. Primary endpoint was freedom from mediastinitis according to CDC criteria on the 30th postoperative day. Secondary endpoint was freedom from surgical site infection of any kind.