Brief communication: Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for groin vascular graft infection

Abstract

Vascular graft infection is a serious complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because of this, various graft preservation techniques have been increasingly utilized in an attempt to improve outcomes. When this devastating complication occurs several possibilities for treatment are available. The traditional treatment consists of graft excision and extra-anatomic reconstruction. Reconstruction can also be done in situ using homografts or autologous grafts, as well as new synthetic prostheses with antimicrobial properties. A more conservative approach and graft preservation may be indicated in some cases. This paper presents a case of successful graft preservation using a vacuum-assisted closure system.