title: Infected arterial grafts: clinical manifestations and surgical management.
abstract: The clinical manifestations and results of management in twenty-five patients treated for infected vascular grafts are reviewed. The overall incidence of infection in this series of prosthetic grafts is 1.4%. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the single most common infecting organism and multiple organisms were found in nine patients. Therapy was divided into three methods of management: local therapy alone resulted in a mortality of 45% and an amputation rate of 36.3%; partial graft excision resulted in a mortality of 20% and an amputation rate of 60%; total graft excision resulted in a mortality of 22% and an amputation rate of 22% as well. All amputations were above-knee amputations and the most common cause of death was continuing sepsis. The overall mortality of 32% and a loss of limb rate of 44% are testimony to the serious nature of this problem.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011292:Premedication; D012086:Reoperation; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents