[Vascular reconstruction of infected pseudoaneurysm in 17 drug addicts].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical treatment of infected pseudoaneurysm (PA) caused by injection of addictive drugs.

METHODS: The clinical data of 17 cases of infected PA caused by drug injection were reviewed retrospectively. Of them, 1 case was female, and the other 16 cases were male, aging 24-38 years. The locations were brachial artery in 1 case and femoral artery in 16 cases. Fourteen cases were treated by artificial blood vessel transplantation after resection of the aneurysm and radical debridement, 1 case by amputation for serious infection, and 2 cases by non-operation for different reasons.

RESULTS: Among 14 cases treated by prosthetic grafts, 13 cases achieved satisfactory results, no blood drawback of lower extremity occurred after operation; 1 case had to be amputated for serious infection. After 3 months of operation, the color Doppler examination showed that the 9 artificial vessel grafts were patent and the pulse of arteria dorsal pedis was good.

CONCLUSION: Though artificial vessel grafting has high risk in the vicinity of infected PA, it is still an effective procedure for revascularization in condition that there is no suitable autogenous conduit available for auto transplantation. Sufficient drainage, anti-infection and anti-coagulation therapy should be the key factors after the operation.