First-in-Human Intramediastinal Taurolidine Irrigation for Candida albicans Mediastinitis After Biological Bentall Procedure

Background: Post-sternotomy mediastinitis remains a devastating complication of cardiac surgery. Although most cases are bacterial, fungal mediastinitis due to Candida albicans is rare, aggressive, and particularly difficult to treat because of biofilm formation, prosthetic involvement, and limited penetration of systemic antifungal agents into infected tissues. Taurolidine is a taurine-derived antimicrobial compound with broad antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-biofilm properties that has shown promising results in catheter-related infection prevention and cardiac implantable electronic device surgery. Case summary: We report, to our knowledge, the first intramediastinal use of taurolidine for Candida albicans mediastinitis after biological Bentall surgery. Following urgent resternotomy and extensive debridement, 200 mL of taurolidine solution was instilled into the mediastinum for 60 min, then aspirated. Postoperatively, taurolidine irrigation via mediastinal drainage was combined with negative-pressure wound therapy and systemic antifungal treatment. Results: Rapid microbiological sterilization was achieved, inflammatory markers normalized, and follow-up computed tomography demonstrated complete resolution of mediastinal infection. Delayed sternal closure was then performed successfully without recurrence at 6-month follow up. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this represents the first reported use of intramediastinal taurolidine irrigation for fungal mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. Intramediastinal taurolidine irrigation may represent a promising adjunctive strategy for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery in high-risk patients. Further clinical evaluation is warranted.