Management of wound and left ventricular assist device pocket infection

Our patient developed a wound infection that involved an implanted left ventricular assist device. At surgery, the pump was washed with a detergent-containing bacteriocidal solution, then antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were placed around the pump. The wound was revised using rectus muscle to cover the pump. The incisions have healed and the patient is now at home. She is on no systemic antibiotics and has no evidence of infection 11 months postoperatively. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;68:1080-2) (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.