Postoperative Mediastinitis in Children: Epidemiology, Microbiology and Risk Factors for Gram-Negative Pathogens

Background: Mediastinitis, although an infrequent complication of median sternotomy, represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the incidence and describe the epidemiology and microbiology of mediastinitis in children after cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis. Study Design: This was a retrospective case-control study nested within the cohort of children, birth to 18 years of age, undergoing median sternotomy between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003. Results: Forty-three cases of mediastinitis were identified. The incidence of mediastinitis was 1.4%. Median patient age at time of inciting sternotomy was 32 days (interquartile range, 5 days–9 months). Twenty-three (54%) cases occurred in girls. Median time to onset of infection after surgery was 11 days (range, 4–34 days). Overall Gram-positive organisms were present in 29 (67%) cases, and Gram-negative organisms were present in 13 (30%) cases. The organisms most commonly isolated from mediastinal culture were Staphylococcus aureus (46%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (17%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%). The rate of concurrent bacteremia was 53% (95% confidence interval, 38–69%). In multivariable analysis, delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis (odds ratio, 9.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–56.8; P = 0.016). Conclusions: Although Gram-positive organisms were the most common cause of infection, Gram-negative organisms accounted for one-third of all isolates. More than one-half of patients with mediastinitis had concurrent bacteremia. Delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for Gram-negative mediastinitis.