VASCULAR GRAFT INFECTION - AN ANALYSIS OF 62 GRAFT INFECTIONS IN 2411 CONSECUTIVELY IMPLANTED SYNTHETIC VASCULAR GRAFTS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (1) , 81-86
Abstract
Among 2411 consecutive arterial reconstructions performed with synthetic prosthetic material in Denmark during a 4 yr period, 62 patients (2.6%) developed graft infection. Graft infection occurred only when the groin was incised. The incidence of infection and the spread of infection along the graft did not relate to the graft material used (Dacron velour, Dacron woven, polytetrafluoroethylene and umbilical vein). Retrospective analysis disclosed predisposing or precipitating factors in 5 of 62 cases; the most important seemed to be unsatisfactory surgical technique. Of the graft infections 53% occurred within 30 days. Gram-positive cocci were the most common pathogen. The 62 patients were in the hospital for a mean of 90 days and had undergone an average of 1.4 operations for graft infections. Of the patients, 25.8% died and 30.6% underwent amputations. Vascular graft infections is still one of the major problems in vascular surgery; greater care should be taken to improve antiseptics, improve surgical technique, and establish a rational prophylactic antibiotic regimen. A prophylactic antibiotic regimen of a combination of cephalosporin and ampicillin is recommended.