Delayed Sternal Closure in Infant Heart Surgery—The Importance of Where and When: An Analysis of the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database

This database study evaluated outcomes of delayed sternal closure for infants undergoing surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass.  Delayed closure was associated with a 3-fold increase in infectious complications.  Time to closure was associated with an increasing rate of infectious complications.  Location of closure (OR, ICU) was not associated with adverse outcomes.