IMPROVING SURVIVAL AND LIMB SALVAGE IN PATIENTS WITH AORTIC GRAFT INFECTION 76TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NORTH PACIFIC SURGICAL ASSOC Yeager, R. A., Moneta, G. L., Taylor, L. M., Harris, E. J., McConnell, D. B., Porter, J. M. CAHNERS PUBL CO. 1990: 466–69

Abstract

A 15-year experience with 38 aortic graft infections, including 15 patients with graft enteric fistulas, is reviewed in order to analyze modern-day surgical results utilizing extra-anatomic bypass and aortic graft excision. Perioperative mortality was 14% during the most recent 7-year interval, which was a notable improvement compared with the earlier time interval (p = 0.06). Extended follow-up of the perioperative survivors demonstrated a 77% cumulative 5-year survival and a 76% cumulative 5-year limb salvage rate. Subsequent axillofemoral graft infection occurred in 22% of survivors and resulted in a significantly higher amputation rate compared with those patients with no axillofemoral graft infection (p less than 0.001). The results suggest good perioperative and long-term survival in patients with aortic graft infection, with excellent limb salvage if subsequent axillofemoral graft infection can be avoided.

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