The use of a vascular patch CorMatrix ECM® for reconstruction of carotid arteries in the treatment of postoperative wound infection

Abstract

Introduction. Operation site infection after carotid endarterectomy is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. The aim of this paper was to present two cases of using CorMatrix ECMR patch for reconstruction of a damaged artery in the course of an operation site infection. Outline of cases. There was an infection and pseudoaneurysm formation in these patients after carotid endarterectomy; one of them ruptured, causing massive hemorrhage. In both cases, carotid artery was reconstructed using CorMatrix ECMR patch resulting in resolution of infection and postoperative wounds healing with maintained complete patency of carotid arteries. Conclusion. The vascular patch of the extracellular matrix CorMatrix ECMR enables successful and safe angioplasty of an artery.

Keywords

• operation site infection
• carotid endarterectomy
• artery reconstruction