Do Not Delay Removing the Infected Graft!

Abstract

A 66 year old male presented with dyspepsia. He had been treated by aortobifemoral bypass for aorto-iliac occlusions three years previously. Several thrombectomy procedures and a femorofemoral bypass were required because of symptomatic occlusion of the prosthetic left limb. Computed tomography angiography noted inflammatory tissue with air bubbles (arrow) between the proximal jejunum and the graft (secondary aorto-enteric fistula) (A). Exploratory laparotomy showed that the infected aortic graft was surrounded by the gut wall (B). Infected abdominal vascular grafts should be removed as soon as possible if the patient’s condition permits.Image 1