Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey

We report a case of rapidly progressive mediastinitis following a cervical infection in a previously healthy elderly female patient. The patient was treated surgically by mediastinal debridement, but the infection persisted postoperatively. Although the cultures remained sterile, antibiotics directed against opportunistic microorganisms were administered. A novel technique of "modified sternal closure" is also described. The patient was discharged in a completely healthy state.