Objective: The surgical site infection constitutes an important place in the complications of open heart surgery and it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In this meta-analysis; it is aimed to determine the rate of sternal surgical site infections that can be seen after median sternotomy throughout our country.

Material and Methods: The meta-analysis that used in this study was designed and executed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Firstly, literature investigations were done with PubMed and Google Scholar. Then acceptance and rejection criterias were determined. Obtained articles were examined. Datas were recorded in SPSS 15.0 and the groups were compared by Mann Whitney U test.

Results: As a result of the literature search, twenty nine studies were achieved and examined. 10954 patients were evaluated in the specified period and the rates were determined for sternal superficial surgical site infection, deep surgical site infection and mediastinitis, as 1.71%, 0.95% and 0.8% respectively.

Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, sternal wound infections which were seen after median sternotomy that applied throughout the country were evaluated and sternal infection rates were represented. We think that the knowledge of this rates is necessary for both patient and surgeon.