Perioperative and Mid-Term Outcomes of Bovine Xenografts in Infected Aortic/Iliac Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Background Various methods of open-surgical treatment of infected aortic and iliac pathologies are available. The use of surgeon-made bovine pericardium grafts in infected aortic/iliac context has been associated with a low re-infection rate as well as high feasibility. Prefabricated (factory pre-sewn) bovine pericardium prostheses have been available for a few years. Studies reporting clinical results are rare. Aims Present the perioperative and mid-term outcomes of a bifurcated and straight bovine pericardium prostheses (BioModiVasc®) in infected aortic and iliac pathologies. Methods Retrospective database analysis of all vascular surgery operations between 2021 and 2023 at our centre. Results 28 BioModiVasc® grafts were implanted in 27 patients due to INAA (40,7%), VGEI (51,9%), trauma (3,7%) or Leriche-Syndrome (3,7%). Patients were predominantly male (85,2%) and often presented arterial hypertension (88,9%). Significant risk factors were infection in a remote site (29,6%), emergency/urgent operations in the past 12 months (22,2%) and previous vascular procedures (44,4%). Elevated CRP (88,9%) and soreness at site (81,5%) were the most common findings at presentation. CT-scan showed infection-typical findings in 96,3%. Pathogen was isolated in 77,8% of the cases. Median operation time was 300 minutes. 88,9% of the operations were emergency/urgent ones. 96,3% of the reconstructions were orthotopic, access was mostly transperitoneal (59,3%). Median hospital/ICU days were 19 and 2 respectively. Infection a/o operation-associated 30-day mortality was 11,1%. 3-deaths occurred at follow-up (median 12 months), non-infection a/o operation related. 1 patient required a re-do due to a duodenal erosion caused by the prosthetic anastomosis. Conclusion Open surgical treatment of aortic/iliac septic pathologies with the BioModiVasc® prosthesis yields good results, which are similar to the reported results of the use of surgeon-made bovine pericardial reconstructions.