Deep Neck Infection with Mediastinal Abscess Treated by Modified Vacuum-Assisted Closure Application

Abstract

Deep neck infection is a surgical emergency that can result in life threatening complications such as airway obstruction, aspiration, thrombosis of major vessels and mediastinitis by spread of infection along fascial planes. Although appropriate surgical intervention and prompt antibiotics are given, revision surgeries are often required. We report a patient with mediastinal abscess caused by a deep neck infection that was initially intractable with usual surgical drainage but was eventually successfully treated with the modified application of a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device (InfoV.A.C. Therapy Unit; Kinetic Concept Inc., USA). We inserted silastic drain tubes into paratracheal area. It was difficult to pack the VAC foams, so they were prone to fail, with complete debridement. With modified VAC therapy assisted by silastic drain tube, the deeply located mediastinal abscess that had been unresponsive to conventional surgical drainage was successfully treated. (J Acute Care Surg 2017;7:34-38)