Pyoderma gangrenosum after open heart surgery: a rare and challenging postoperative complication

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon, necrotizing, neutrophilic dermatosis that can develop after soft tissue injury in susceptible individuals. We describe a rare case of PG that developed within the sternal wound and saphenous vein graft site following open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement. Fever, leukocytosis and sternal wound erythema noted on postoperative day #1 were initially interpreted as signs of a post-operative infection. Aggressive antibiotic management and repeat surgical debridement of the sternal wound had no beneficial effects. Ultimately' PG was suspected. Shortly after the initiation of immunosuppressive medications and intravenous immunoglobulin, the wounds stabilized and began to heal, Negative pressure dressings with vacuum-assisted closure systems were used for wound care. After several weeks of immunotherapy, the chest could be closed with a muscle flap and skin grafting. The patient was discharged on immunotherapy which was eventually discontinued after an appropriate taper.