[Use of the skin-closure system Medizip in median sternotomy in oncological patients. Evaluation of results obtained in 30 patients]. / Utilizzo del dispositivo Medizip per la sutura cutanea in caso di sternotomia mediana in pazienti oncologici. Valutazione dei risultati ottenuti in 30 pazienti.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluate effectiveness, safety and cosmetic results obtained using the new skin closing system Medizip. METHODS: At the Thoracic Surgery Department of the National Cancer Institute (Milan) between June 1999 and March 2001, in 30 patients who underwent median sternotomy for bilateral pulmonary wedge resections, Medizip a new skin-closing system to suture the sternal wounds has been used. Twenty patients were under 30 (66%) and 6 of the 10 remaining were females. The average age was 34.25+/-21.60 years, (median: 25, range: 12-72). It took about half a minute (average time: 30.00+/-10.54 seconds) to perform all the application manoeuvres. In order to better evaluate the cosmetic results obtained, a scale of three levels was created: level 1: very good, level 2: satisfactory, level 3: inadequate. RESULTS: Twenty-eight 20 cm-long zippers, one 25 cm-long and one 30 cm-long were employed. Medizip has been kept in site for 9.88+/-2.12 days on average (median: 9; range: 8-12). The time employed for each dressing was on average 70.00+/-21.35 seconds (median: 70, range: 46-128). No wound infections were observed even if all the patients were affected by neoplastic diseases and were immunocompromised because of lots of antiblastic treatments. The quick removal (few seconds) and the non-invasiveness of the disposal constitutes remarkable advantages. Using the criteria previously described, 26 patients at level 1 (87%), and 4 (13%) at level 2 were classified. CONCLUSIONS: Medizip is considered to be an effective skin-closure system easy and quick to handle, assuring very good cosmetic results, with non-invasive removal, particularly useful in pediatric patients and in young adults affected by neoplastic diseases undergone to a lot of combined treatments.