title: Infections in vascular operations.
abstract: During the period 1973-79, 26 infections occurred in 931 vascular operations. The overall infection rate was 2.8%, and 80% of the infections occurred in groin incisions. There was a significantly higher infection rate when a synthetic graft was inserted, when there was an infected foot ulcer prior to operation, or when early reoperation was necessary. Several regimens of antibiotic treatment are described. The current practice of a short perioperative course of cefazolin, combined with irrigation of the wound with 1% povidone-iodine solution before closure of the skin resulted in an acceptably low rate of infection (less than 2%) during the last three years of the study period. There is no advantage in continuing postoperative antibiotic therapy for more than one to three days.
mesh_terms: D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002512:Cephalothin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012996:Solutions; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D007455:Iodine; D002437:Cefazolin; D002512:Cephalothin