Removing the Infected Aortofemoral Graft Using a Two-Stage Procedure with a Delay Between the Stages

This study describes the results of a procedure for removing the infected aortofemoral graft using a two-stage procedure with a delay between the stages. The objective was to lessen the morbidity and mortality associated with removing an infected graft through a single operation. Eight consecutive patients were treated in this manner over a 6-year span. The indications for surgery were infected groin false aneurysms in three, chronic draining sinuses involving the prosthetic graft in four, and an open groin infection involving graft in one. There were five males and three females, with ages ranging 47-83 years (mean = 63). The mean operative time of the first-stage operation was 5.1 hr (range 3.0-7.7), and the mean blood transfusion requirement was 1.7 units. The mean operative time of the second stage operation was 3.5 hr (range 3.5-7.6), and the mean blood transfusion requirement was 2.5 units. In six patients, the hospital course was uncomplicated, with a mean hospital stay of 8.4 days for the initial stage and 9.2 days for the second stage. Two patients had complicated postoperative courses with hospital stays of >30 days. There was no operative or graft-related late mortality. No patients were lost to follow-up. One patient died of unrelated causes with a patent graft at 22 months postsurgery. All other patients remain well with patent grafts, without requiring revisions at a mean follow-up of 33 months (range 6-73). A two-stage approach with a delay between the stages may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the removal of an infected aortobifemoral graft.