Successful total graft preservation for an infected thoracoabdominal aortic graft

Abstract

Infection of thoracoabdominal prosthetic grafts is a devastating complication. It is often not feasible to fully avoid the bed of infected bypass grafts, so the traditional approach with resection and replacement of infected grafts has a high morbidity and mortality rate. This technique has recently been challenged by several case reports describing success with graft-preserving strategies. Herein, we report a successful case of total graft preservation with decontamination by iodine washout and microdébridement, bactericidal bead and glue placement, and omental wrapping. This technique represents a novel strategy in the armamentarium of surgeons faced with infected thoracoabdominal prosthetic grafts.