title: Use of autologous spiral vein grafts for vascular reconstructions in contaminated fields.
abstract: Vascular reconstructions in heavily contaminated fields can be particularly challenging. Prosthetic grafts are rarely suitable because of the risk of infection, but the saphenous vein is usually too small for isodiametric replacement of large arteries and veins. Although surgeons rarely consider the use of spiral vein grafts, they may occasionally be the ideal autogenous vascular replacement because they can be tailored to fit a vessel of any size. We report the use of spiral vein grafts in three patients requiring vascular reconstructions in the presence of heavy bacterial contamination.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267-0558.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fowl
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Sax
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kempczinski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*