Incidence and management of seroma after arteriovenous graft placement.
BACKGROUND
Perigraft seromas are rare complications of insertion of PTFE hemodialysis grafts. They are often difficult to treat and recurrence is common. This study evaluates the incidence, potential etiologic variables, and management strategies for seromas after prosthetic arteriovenous graft (AVG) placement.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing AVG placement between August 2002 and December 2005 was performed to identify all patients diagnosed with seroma requiring surgical intervention. Multiple variables were analyzed to determine potential risk factors for seroma formation and outcomes of various forms of surgical management.


RESULTS
In this interval, 535 AVG were inserted in 427 patients. Ten patients presented with a seroma and underwent surgical treatment. Overall incidence of seroma formation was 1.7%. There was no significant difference in seroma formation based on gender, age, diabetes, lower extremity versus upper extremity placement, or loop forearm versus straight forearm grafts. A statistically significant difference was found between upper arm (p = 0.007) and lower arm grafts (p = 0.04), with upper arm grafts more prone to seroma formation. Patients undergoing bypass of the seromatous segment of graft have not had a recurrence, compared with those who were simply evacuated and have had a mean patency of 402 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Seroma complications after AVG insertion are higher in patients with upper arm grafts. To minimize this complication, meticulous operative technique is required. If a seroma develops, the graft might still be salvageable with aggressive management, including bypass of the involved segment.
Dauria
Danielle M
DM
Department of Surgery, St Louis University Hospital, 3635 Vista Avenue, DesLoge Towers 3rd Floor, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. dauriaddauria@yahoo.com
Dyk
Pawel
P
Garvin
Paul
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049291:Seroma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene