Infection of vascular prosthesis in aortofemoral area.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of vascular prosthesis infection in aortofemoral area and to demonstrate their course, treatment and risk factors.

METHODS: The file was formed by patients who had been operated on because of infection of vascular reconstruction in aortofemoral area at IInd department of surgery of the St. Anne's Faculty Hospital in Brno in the 2000-2004 period. The data from personal case histories and risk factors were evaluated by means of basic statistical methods. We present the diagnostic methods used and operation procedures. The results were compared to the ones from the vascular register and to the conclusions from other vasculosurgical workplaces.

RESULTS: In the period discussed, 7 patients were operated on for infection of vascular reconstruction in aortofemoral area. The period between the implantation proper and the manifestation of the infection ranged from 13 months to 15 years. The infection manifested most often by purulent secretion in groin. The most frequent infection agent is the staphylococcus. In 4 cases immediate explantation of the whole vascular prosthesis was carried out. In 3 cases partial resection was carried out, followed by explantation of the remainder of the prosthesis after stabilisation in 2 cases. In 4 patients revascularization by extra-anatomic bypass was carried out. Three patients died during their hospitalization as a result of sepsis. On the whole 6 high amputations of lower limbs were carried out with 4 patients.

CONCLUSION: Vascular prosthesis infection in aortofemoral area is among less frequent, but substantially serious and difficult-to-solve complications of vascular surgery (Tab. 3, Ref 18). Full Text (Free, PDF).