ObjectiveTo summarize the experiences of surgical treatment of sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery. MethodsFrom January 2011 to January 2014, 7 patients with sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital. There were 4 male patients and 3 females with an age of 35-72 (52.5±13.4) years old. Two patients accepted coronary artery bypass, 4 underwent mechanical valve replacement and 1 underwent Sun’s procedure. The necrotic bones were debrided and sternal wires completely removed. After the original wires were completely extracted, the infected tissues behind the sternum were removed. Part of the pectoralis major was released with free tension on both sides when suturing was carried out over the sternal defect. Negative pressure drainage tube was used for full drainage. ResultsAll the patients were discharged from hospital with very good recovery. The sternal wound was healing well with normal thoracic appearance, and none of the patients had recurrent infections. ConclusionsPatients with sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgical procedure should undergo surgical debridement. Stabilizing the sternum, rich blood supply and improvement of overall condition of the patients are very important for recovery.
ObjectiveTo provide references in the forensic identification of injury and cerebrovascular malformation involved death cases, and to reduce the relevant medical dispute by exploring the forensic pathological features, identification of medical dispute as well as relationship between injury and disease. MethodsWe collected 33 cases of cerebrovascular malformation from January 2006 to December 2014 in West China Center of Forensic Medicine, including details of cases, clinical medical record and forensic pathology examination, and then the cases were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsIn the 33 cases, the average age of the individuals was 37.4 years old, and the male/female ratio was 23/10. Nineteen patients (57.6%) died within 1 hour. Seventeen patients with mixed pathological type of cerebrovascular malformation dominated (51.5%). Medical dispute happened in 7 cases (21.1%), 4 of which were identified to be led by medical fault and 3 with no medical fault. Relationship between injury and disease was analyzed in 11 cases (33.3%), in which injury was identified to take full responsibility in 1 case, inductive cause of death in 9 cases, and no relationship between injury and death in 1 case. ConclusionComprehensive and systematic investigation of forensic pathology plays an important role in the proper settlement of medical disputes as well as the identification of cause of death and relationship between injury and disease.