Vascular Prosthesis Infection Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of iliofemoral bypass using arm veins as an alternative conduit for chronic limb-threatening ischemia

ObjectiveThe use of basilic vein in iliofemoral revascularizations was previously described in the literature as an autologous option for the treatment of vascular prosthesis infection and as a primary conduit in patients at high risk of infectious surgical complications. However, the publications available include several different indications and are limited to case reports. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the use of arm veins as a safe and effective autologous alternative for iliofemoral reconstruction in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and at high risk of prosthesis infection. MethodsWe performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study with 53 consecutive iliofemoral bypasses using arm veins as an alternative conduit. The procedures were performed between November 2013 and November 2021, exclusively for patients with CLTI classified as TASC aortoiliac C or D with increased risk of postoperative surgical infection. Demographic, clinical variables, and outcomes were collected from a prospective database. Main endpoints were amputation-free survival (AFS) and major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary endpoints included primary and secondary patencies and overall survival. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of AFS. Postoperative surgical complications and 30-day mortality were also assessed. ResultsThe mean age was 64.2 ± 8.4 years, with a predominance of male gender. The median follow-up period was 615 days. All patients had CLTI, with a predominance of tissue loss (n = 51; 96.2%) and a median ankle-brachial index of 0.28. The basilic vein was utilized in most procedures (69.8%). Thirty-day major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in five cases (9.4%), and the 30-day mortality rate was 3.8%. The AFS, primary patency, secondary patency, and overall survival in 720 days were 71%, 72%, 89%, and 75%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed no association between the variables analyzed for AFS. There was no graft late infection nor pseudoaneurysmal degeneration. ConclusionsIliofemoral bypass using arm veins as an autologous conduit proved to be an effective and safe procedure with low incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications and high rates of AFS in patients with CLTI. Also, this suggests that arm veins can be an interesting and suitable autologous alternative conduit for iliofemoral reconstructions, especially in cases in which a prosthesis should be avoided or when it is not available.

Infection Prothesis After Bentall Procedure: Redo Operation With Allograft

Infection of vascular prostheses is a fatal complication and management of such patients remains open.

Decrease of Graft Failure Rate by Improving Tactics and Surgical Techniques in Extraanatomic Bypass Operations

We analized the early and late postoperative complications that occurred after 693 bypass operations (574 anatomic and 119 extra-anatomic) performed in 10 consecutive years (1997-2006). The bypass graft failures (infection + thrombosis) treatment and the subsequent evolution of the patients were detected by analyzing patients’ readmissions made to solve these major post-bypass complications. The follow-up period extended up to 12 years after the primary arterial bypass reconstruction. In this period we registered: 89 secondary arterial reconstructions for early and late graft thrombosis; 8 healings after removal of the infected prostheses, followed by extraanatomic bypass operations (7 obturator bypass + 1 axillo-bifemoral bypass). The most frequent vascular prosthesis infection sites were the Scarpa triangle and the thoraco-abdominal subcutaneous segment of the axillo(bi)-femoral graft. Major amputations after extraanatomic bypass operations: at 4 years postoperatively for axillo(bi)-femoral operations the amputation rate was 17.6%, while for crossover operations it was 7.5%. Perioperatory mortality after anatomic bypass operations = 2 intraoperatory and 8 postoperatory (1.38%/574 operations); perioperatory mortality after extraanatomic bypass operations: 2 postoperatory deaths (1.68%/119 operations), 1 after axillo-femoral prosthesis infection and 1 after acute myocardial infarction. In order to reduce the graft major complication rate after extraanatomic bypass operations we took the following measures: 1. When there are arterial occlusive lesions distal to the femoral tripod we ensured an adequate outflow which favores the long-term patency of the extraanatomic graft; this goal was obtained by 2 methods: by enlargement profundoplasty and/or by performing an additional distal bypass towards the popliteal artery or towards the subgenicular arteries. The distal subgenicular anastomosis was made between a venous graft and the distal outflow artery for reducing the intimal hyperplasia. 2. For crossover bypass operations we often used autologous vein grafts; 3. In crossover ilio-femoral bypass operation with venous graft we avoid the graft compression in its path through abdominal wall by passing the graft through a stable caliber hole made in a polypropylene closure mesh of the abdominal wall. 4. We promote the tunneling of the axillo-femoral prosthesis through the subaponeurotic muscular tissue because this tissue better protects the prosthetic graft against infection. 5. In order to reduce the groin prosthesis infections, we prefer performing ilio-femoral crossover bypass instead of femoro-femoral one. 6. The obturator bypass remains a valuable tratment for groin infected prosthesis.

Usefulness of PET/CT in the diagnosis of vascular prosthesis infection: Case report

Usefulness of PET/CT in the diagnosis of vascular prosthesis infection: Case report

КЛИНИКО-ДЕМОГРАФИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ПАЦИЕНТОВ И ФАКТОРЫ РИСКА ИНФИЦИРОВАНИЯ ИСКУССТВЕННЫХ СОСУДИСТЫХ ПРОТЕЗОВ ПОСЛЕ РЕКОНСТРУКТИВНЫХ ОПЕРАЦИЙ НА АОРТО-ПОДВЗДОШНО-БЕДРЕННОМ СЕГМЕНТЕ

Objective: to study the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients and risk factors, to analyze their influence on the frequency of infection of artificial vascular prostheses in the aortoiliac-femoral segment. Material and methods. We analyzed 609 medical records of inpatient patients who had undergone vascular reconstructive interventions on the aortoiliac-femoral segment using a synthetic vascular prosthesis. The article presents the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with lesions of the aortoiliac-femoral segment. The frequency of conduit infection in various major diseases, surgical approaches, types of bypass surgery (prosthetics), types of artificial vascular prosthesis was analysed. Results. The patients who developed lesions of the aortoiliac-femoral segment were mostly males (94.6%), urban residents (78%), unemployed (68.6%), those with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities (72.7%) and coronary heart disease (59.4%). The incidence of vascular prostheses in patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities was 5.5%, and in those with an aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta – 1.2%. Conclusion. The pattern of developing artificial vascular prosthesis infection has been established. Infection of conduits occurs statistically significantly more often in patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities than in those with an aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta.

Q Fever Vertebral Osteomyelitis Complicating Vertebroplasty.

Query (Q) fever is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii. In a minority of patients, chronic disease can occur after acute infection. Endocarditis and infections of aneurysms or vascular prostheses are the most common forms of chronic Q fever in adults. We report a case of an elderly female patient with chronic Q fever vertebral osteomyelitis at the site of her previous cement vertebroplasty, complicated by paravertebral abscess. Patient treatment required prolonged drainage in addition to the long duration of antibiotic treatment by doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine. Osteomyelitis is a rare clinical presentation in adults with chronic Q fever. However, it is important to consider Q fever in the differential diagnosis of culture-negative osteomyelitis, especially in countries where C. burnetii is endemic, such as Israel.

Use of 3D Printing for the Development of Biodegradable Antiplatelet Materials for Cardiovascular Applications.

Small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts are required for surgical bypass grafting when there is a lack of suitable autologous vessels due to different reasons, such as previous operations. Thrombosis is the main cause of failure of small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts when used for this revascularization technique. Therefore, the development of biodegradable vascular grafts capable of providing a localized and sustained antithrombotic drug release mark a major step forward in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death globally. The present paper describes the use of an extrusion-based 3D printing technology for the production of biodegradable antiplatelet tubular grafts for cardiovascular applications. For this purpose, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was chosen as a model molecule due to its antiplatelet activity. Poly(caprolactone) and ASA were combined for the fabrication and characterization of ASA-loaded tubular grafts. Moreover, rifampicin (RIF) was added to the formulation containing the higher ASA loading, as a model molecule that can be used to prevent vascular prosthesis infections. The produced tubular grafts were fully characterized through multiple techniques and the last step was to evaluate their drug release, antiplatelet and antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility. The results suggested that these materials were capable of providing a sustained ASA release for periods of up to 2 weeks. Tubular grafts containing 10% (w/w) of ASA showed lower platelet adhesion onto the surface than the blank and grafts containing 5% (w/w) of ASA. Moreover, tubular grafts scaffolds containing 1% (w/w) of RIF were capable of inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, the evaluation of the cytocompatibility of the scaffold samples revealed that the incorporation of ASA or RIF into the composition did not compromise cell viability and proliferation at short incubation periods (24 h).

Fused deposition modelling for the development of drug loaded cardiovascular prosthesis

Cardiovascular diseases constitute a number of conditions which are the leading cause of death globally. To combat these diseases and improve the quality and duration of life, several cardiac implants have been developed, including stents, vascular grafts and valvular prostheses. The implantation of these vascular prosthesis has associated risks such as infection or blood clot formation. In order to overcome these limitations medicated vascular prosthesis have been previously used. The present paper describes a 3D printing method to develop medicated vascular prosthesis using fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology. For this purpose, rifampicin (RIF) was selected as a model molecule as it can be used to prevent vascular graft prosthesis infection. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and RIF were combined using hot melt extrusion (HME) to obtain filaments containing RIF concentrations ranging between 0 and 1% (w/w). These materials are capable of providing RIF release for periods ranging between 30 and 80 days. Moreover, TPU-based materials containing RIF were capable of inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This behaviour was observed even for TPU-based materials containing RIF concentrations of 0.1% (w/w). TPU containing 1% (w/w) of RIF showed antimicrobial properties even after 30 days of RIF release. Alternatively, these methods were used to prepare dipyridamole containing TPU filaments. Finally, using a dual extrusion 3D printer vascular grafts containing both drugs were prepared.

PET/CT with 18F-Fluordesoxyglucose PET/CT in patients with suspected vascular prosthesis infection

ObjectiveInfection of large vessel prostheses is a rare but critical complication. The aim of this work is to assess the impact of PET/CT with 18F-Fluordesoxyglucose (PET-FDG) on the diagnosis of infection in our clinical setting. Material and methodsThirty-five patients (38 scans) were evaluated for suspected prosthetic infection. A qualitative analysis was performed taking into account the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical, categorizing the studies as positive or negative for infection. Those with focal or multifocal deposits along the vascular prosthesis were considered positive, and negative if a homogeneous and diffuse distribution over the whole prosthesis was observed, or a total absence of uptake. A semi-quantitative analysis was performed using SUVmax and average SUV values, and a metabolic index was calculated (SUVmax of the graft / SUV SUV mean of the normal vascular pool). Diagnostic performance was compared with conventional angiographic imaging techniques (AngioTC). ResultsThe PET-FDG study was positive in 20 patients, with a diagnostic accuracy of 84%. The 38 PET-FDG scans performed showed positive capture patterns (focal in 6, multifocal in 15, diffuse in 4) and negative pattern in the remaining 13. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values obtained for the PET-FDG were 95%, 89%, 90% and 94%, and for the AngioTC study 50%, 73%, 73% and 50%, respectively. The area values under the ROC curve were as follows: for the AngioTC 0.642 (not significant), and for the SUVmax values of 0.925 (p < 0.005), average SUV of 0.922 (p < 0.005) and for the metabolic index of 0.917 (p < 0.005). ConclusionsThe PET-FDG proves to be a tool with high diagnostic accuracy in the infection of vascular prosthesis, both visual analysis according to patterns and semi-quantitative.

Qualitative and semiquantitative [18F]FDG-PET/CT analysis in patients with IE: a strategy to enhance specificity?

Abstract Aim The 2015 ESC Guideline for the diagnosis and management of infectious endocarditis (IE) included molecular imaging procedures such as radiolabeled leukocytes and [18F]FDG-PET/CT as major criteria to establish the diagnosis of IE. Whereas in case of radiolabeled leukocytes the criteria for defining positive and negative scan are well established, in case of [18F]FDG-PET/CT a consensus of the criteria that define a positive scan is still lacking. Materials and methods In this work we prospectively evaluated a series of 90 patients (M:F=60:30, mean age 67±16 years, median age 72 years, range 18–88) that performed [18F]FDG-PET/CT for suspected IE between January 2016 and January 2019 in our center to define which pattern of uptake and semiquantitative parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, valve/liver, valve/lung and valve/mediastinum uptake ratio) present the highest diagnostic accuracy for IE. PET/CT results were correlated with transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography, blood culture, the Duke criteria. The new ESC criteria were also evaluated. Results Globally PET/CT presented sensitivity=96% and specificity=75%, NPV= 97% and PPV=68%. A focal pattern of uptake was found 17/30 patients with confirmed IE (mean SUVmax=5.29±1.8, median SUVmax=5.5) whereas whereas a diffuse pattern of uptake was found in 11 patients with confirmed IE (mean SUVmax=8.1±3.5, median SUVmax=7.6). No significant differences between the valve/liver ratio uptake and the valve/mediastinum uptake ratio were found between positive and negative patients with either focal or diffuse pattern of uptake. Interesting, in presence of diffuse valve uptake both SUVmax and the valve/lung uptake ratio were significantly higher in patients with a final diagnosis of IE, including the group of patients under antimicrobial treatment (&amp;gt;90%). PET/CT confirmed its ability to identify extracardiac sites of [18F]FDG uptake in presence of septic embolism (35%) and in patients with other diseases (vasculitis, vascular prosthesis infections, mediastinitis and cancer, particularly in patients with IE sustained by Streptococcus Gallolyticus). Conclusions Our results suggest pattern of [18F]FDG uptake more specific for valve infection is a focal uptake or a diffuse uptake with a SUVmax&amp;gt;5 and a valve/lung ratio &amp;gt;8. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

99mTC-white blood cell scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection

AimVascular graft infection is a rare complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to establish an adequate treatment. We assess the accuracy of 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed thirty 99mTc-WBC scintigraphies with SPECT/CT performed in thirty patients with suspicion of vascular prosthesis infection. Studies were considered positive for graft infection if the intensity of activity involving the graft was greater than the liver or bone marrow activity (spine and pelvis). ResultsFinal diagnosis of infection was established in 10 patients, based on Fitzgerald criteria. Scintigraphy was positive in 11 patients. No false negatives were obtained. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 95% respectively, with a PPV of 91% and a NPV of 100%.25 patients had a CT performed prior to scintigraphy, in 9 cases the result was positive and in the remaining 16 was negative. CT sensitivity and specificity obtained in our study were 62.5% and 76% respectively, with a PPV of 55.6% and a NPV of 81.3%.Diagnosis of infection led to prosthesis exeresis in 8 cases (all of them had a positive microbiological study of the extracted material), while the remaining 2 patients were treated with antibiotic therapy alone due to high surgical risk. ConclusionOur results suggest a high accuracy for 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the assessment of clinically suspected arterial graft infection.

PET/TC con 18F-Fluordesoxiglucosa en pacientes con sospecha de infección de prótesis endovasculares

ObjectiveInfection of large vessel prostheses is a rare but critical complication. The aim of this work is to assess the impact of PET/CT with 18F-Fluordesoxyglucose (PET-FDG) on the diagnosis of infection in our environment. Material and methodsThirty-five patients (38 scans) were evaluated for suspected prosthetic infection. A qualitative analysis was performed taking into account the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical, categorizing the studies as positive or negative for infection. Those with focal or multifocal deposits along the vascular prosthesis were considered positive, and negative if a homogeneous and diffuse distribution over the whole prosthesis was observed, or a total absence of uptake. A semi-quantitative analysis was performed using SUVmax and average SUV values, and a metabolic index was calculated (SUVmax of the graft / average SUV of the normal vascular pool). ResultsThe PET-FDG study was positive in 20 patients, with a diagnostic accuracy of 84%. The 38 PET-FDG scans performed showed positive capture patterns (focal in 6, multifocal in 15, diffuse in 4) and negative pattern in the remaining 13. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values obtained for the PET-FDG were 95%, 89%, 90% and 94%, and for the AngioTC study 50%, 73%, 73% and 50%, respectively. The area values under the ROC curve were as follows: for the AngioTC 0.642 (not significant), and for the SUVmax values of 0.925 (p<0.005), average SUV of 0.922 (p<0.005) and for the metabolic index of 0.917 (p<0.005). ConclusionsThe PET-FDG proves to be a tool with high diagnostic accuracy in the infection of vascular prosthesis, both visual analysis according to patterns and semi-quantitative.

Gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados y SPECT/TC en el diagnóstico de infección de prótesis vasculares

AimVascular graft infection is a rare complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to establish an adequate treatment. We assess the accuracy of 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed thirty 99mTc-WBC scintigraphies with SPECT/CT performed in thirty patients with suspicion of vascular prosthesis infection. Studies were considered positive for graft infection if the intensity of activity involving the graft was greater than the liver or bone marrow activity (spine and pelvis). ResultsFinal diagnosis of infection was established in 10 patients, based on Fitzgerald criteria. Scintigraphy was positive in 11 patients. No false negatives were obtained. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 95%, respectively, with a PPV of 91% and a NPV of 100%.Twenty five patients had a CT performed prior to scintigraphy, in 9 cases the result was positive and in the remaining 16 was negative. CT sensitivity and specificity obtained in our study were 62.5% and 76% respectively, with a PPV of 55.6% and a NPV of 81.3%.Diagnosis of infection led to prosthesis exeresis in 8 cases (all of them had a positive microbiological study of the extracted material), while the remaining 2 patients were treated with antibiotic therapy alone due to high surgical risk. ConclusionOur results suggest a high accuracy for 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the assessment of clinically suspected arterial graft infection.

Aortic Graft Infections – A Nationwide Study

Introduction: Aortic graft and endograft infections (AGI) are rare, but a dreaded complication after aortic surgery. The frequency is difficult to assess due to varying definitions but has been reported to range from 0.3-4%. Only recently a proposal for a unanimous definition of AGI (the MAGIC-criteria) was published. As of now, three major surgical techniques are used to treat AGI; 1) a semiconservative (SC) approach with infection drainage and preservation of the vascular prosthesis, 2) resection of the infected vascular prosthesis with extra-anatomic bypass (EAB), or 3) in-situ repair (ISR) with a vein-, aortic allo-, or antibiotic soaked graft. The literature lacks comparative studies and mainly consists of small single center retrospective studies with a high degree of selection and publication bias. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome and risk factors of surgical treatment of AGI in a large nationwide cohort. Methods: Patients with an AGI-related surgery in a specific European country1 between 1995 and 2016 were identified using the nationwide registry for vascular surgeries1. The MAGIC-criteria were used as definition of an AGI. All vascular centers in the country were invited to participate in the study. A predetermined protocol for data extraction was designed and used for a retrospective case record review. Survival was compared between the three surgical groups at 30-days, 1-year and 5-years (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Predictors for long-term mortality were assessed with Cox-regression. Results: A total of 122 patients with a surgically managed AGI were identified with an additional estimate of 40-50 cases still under review2. The case mix consisted of 25 (20.5%) SC, 58 (37.5%) EAB and 39 (32.0%) ISR. A graft enteric fistula (GEF) was present in 61(50.0%). Within the ISR-group there were 21 vein-grafts, eight Silver-Dacron grafts, seven antibiotic-soaked grafts and three standard PTFE or Dacron grafts. Patients undergoing SC had a higher frequency of coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure (p< 0.05), there were no other differences in base-line comorbidities, age, frequency of emergency surgery or GEF between the groups. The median follow-up among survivors was 5.3 years. The estimated survival was; 30 day: SC 80.8% vs EAB 82.5% vs ISR 83.8% (p = ns), 1 year: SC 46.2% vs EAB 69.1% vs ISR 70.3% (p = ns), 5 years: SC 26.9% vs EAB 41.9% vs ISR 49.2% (p = ns). Survival after SC was significantly worse than EAB and ISR (pooled survival curve analysis EAB + ISR vs SC, p = 0.043). In a Cox-regression analysis including age, surgical technique, presence of GEF and clinical shock at presentation as covariables, only age had a significant correlation with overall survival (HR 1.08, p< 0.001). Conclusion: In a large non-selected nationwide AGI-cohort, mortality after surgical repair remains high. In contrast with some previous studies we could not identify any clear survival benefit using ISR vs EAB. Advanced age correlated with worse outcome. A semi-conservative approach was associated with a worse long-term outcome, at least partially explained by a more advanced comorbidity burden within this cohort. [Kaplain-Meier estimated overall survival comparing the three surgical groups.] Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

What does a (general and abdominal) surgeon need to know on plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery was first introduced as a sub-specialty of general surgery in Germany in 1978. Since then, this surgical subspecialty/discipline has evolved enormous potential, e.g. in collaboration with other disciplines such as general andabdominal surgery. To highlight and summarize the basic potential, technical options and novel aspects of plastic surgery, which are relevant for the common interdisciplinary surgical strategies of plastic and general as well as abdominal surgery in clinical practice. Short and compact narrative review based on 1) a selection of relevant references from the medical scientific literature and 2) surgical experiences obtained in daily practice. R esults (selected corner points): 1) Biological protection procedures in vascular surgery by flap coverage after meticulous debridement with or without autogenic vascular reconstruction are used to overcome infection of a vascular prosthesis, a serious problem, associated with the risk of anastomotic rupture and bleeding by transfer of immunological competence due to tissue coverage and finally to induce healing in the area of an infected vascular prosthesis. 2) Fistula treatment for aorto-tracheal or aorto-duodenal fistulas, a big challenge for the referring general surgeon, can be treated by flap coverage, i.e. interposition of the pectoralis-major flap and the omentum-majus flap, respectively. 3) With regard to nerve surgery, encouraging results have been reported after early microsurgical recurrent laryngeal nerve repair, i.e. improved subjective voice quality or reconstitution of respiratory capacity in diaphragmatic. 4) Lymphatic surgery for lymphedema occurring either primarily due to an absence or lack of lymphatic vessels or secondarily due to infection, trauma, radiation therapy or surgery can be indicated in specialized microsurgical centers, e.g. for surgical repair of the lymphatic pathway: I) the interrupted lymphatic system can be reconstructed by an interposition, or II) the lymphatic fluid can be drained extraanatomically (e.g. by a lymphatic-venous anastomosis). Further techniques are the following: free lymph node transplantation included in a free vascularized groin flap or autologous lymphatic vessel transfer or vein graft interposition (used for lymphatic vessel interposition). 5) Mass reduction such as dermolipectomy with subsequent split-thickness is a valuable option, which provides excellent volume reduction. 6) Defect coverage: A. Split- or full-thickness skin grafts are a common method of defect coverage (in cases of clean and well-vascularized wound bed and lacking donor skin, or if the graft bed is of questionable quality) using various allogenic or xenogenic skin substitute materials. B. Further methods offer a wide-range armamentarium of local and free fasciocutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps, e.g. after abdomino-perineal rectum extirpation using the vertical rectus-abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM) or propeller flaps according to the "angiosome". 7) Abdominal wall hernia closure with instable skin coverage, flap closure, either alone or in combination with mesh is superior to mesh closure only. 8) Free flaps: If there is no option for a local or pedicled flap available, free flaps can be well used for abdominal wall defect closure (complication rate in experienced hands is low). Plastic surgery is an indispensable partner for specific surgical problems and clinical situations of general and abdominal surgery, which indicates that each general and abdominal surgeon should be well notified on great options and surgical techniques offered by modern plastic surgery to achieve best outcomes and quality of life for patients and should combine the expertise of these two surgical disciplines.

Efficacy of Antiseptic Solutions in Treatment of Staphylococcus Aureus Infected Surgical Wounds with Patches of Vascular Graft: An Experimental Study in Rats.

Background and objectives: Treatment of a prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) remains a challenging problem in vascular surgery. The aim of this study was to design a novel rat model for treatment of peripheral vascular prosthesis infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and to determine the efficacy of different antiseptic solutions in suppressing or eradicating infection from the wound and the graft material itself. Materials and methods: A piece of Dacron vascular prosthesis was surgically implanted at the dorsum of 48 Wistar rats and the wounds were infected with 5 McFarland standard inoculum of S. aureus. Suppurating wounds were daily irrigated with different antiseptic solutions: octenidine dihydrochloride, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine digluconate, and sterile saline. The antimicrobial action of antiseptics was defined according to their capability to eradicate bacteria from the graft surroundings and bacteriological examination of the graft itself. Extended studies on wound microbiology, cytology, and histopathology were performed with an additional group of 10 rats, treated with the most effective antiseptic-octenidine dihydrochloride. Results: Four-day treatment course with octenidine, povidone-iodine, and chlorhexidine resulted in 99.98% (p = 0.0005), 90.73% (p = 0.002), and 65.97% (p = 0.004) decrease in S. aureus colonies in wound washouts, respectively. The number of S. aureus colonies increased insignificantly by 19.72% (p = 0.765) in control group. Seven-day treatment course with octenidine eradicated viable bacteria from nine out of 10 wound washouts and sterilized one vascular graft. Conclusions: A reproducible rat model of PVGI with a thriving S. aureus infection was designed. It is a first PVGI animal model where different antiseptic solutions were applied as daily irrigations to treat peripheral PVGI. Seven-day treatment with octenidine eradicated bacteria from the wound washouts for 90% of rats and one vascular graft. Further studies are needed to investigate if irrigations with octenidine could properly cure vascular bed from infection to assure a successful implantation of a new synthetic vascular substitute.

Current vascular allograft procurement, cryopreservation and transplantation techniques in the Czech Republic

Vascular allotransplantations are performed worldwide in selected patients suffering from vascular prosthesis infection or critical limb ischemia. Either fresh or cryopreserved vascular allograft may be used. In various points, we address several aspects (allograft procurement, cryopreservation and transplantation technique) of the program of vascular allotransplantations in the Czech Republic. Vascular grafts retrieval has been done within multiorgan harvests using no-touch technique. Very short time of cold ischemia is achieved due to close cooperation with Tissue Establishment where the following processing of cryopreservation is performed. Meeting all necessary quality criteria is a prerequisity for releasing grafts for clinical application. Standardized thawing protocol and surgical handling aims to minimize microfractures before implantation. Based on experimental and clinical work, the first validation of cryopreserved arterial and venous grafts for clinical use was performed between 2011 and 2013 in the Czech Republic. The developement of storage of vascular tissue in banks was stimulated in 2000-2010 by the issue of EU directives and national harmonized norms, aimed at assurance of high quality and safety of cells and tissues used for transplantations in humans. There are several crucial moments affecting final quality, including graft retrieval within a multiorgan harvest, short ischemic time, cryopreservation and thawing technique used. The recommended surgical handling during implantation may also affect results and graft-related complications.

Chronic Q fever-related complications and mortality: data from a nationwide cohort

ObjectivesChronic infection with Coxiella burnetii (chronic Q fever) can cause life-threatening conditions such as endocarditis, infected vascular prostheses, and infected arterial aneurysms. We aimed to assess prognosis of chronic Q fever patients in terms of complications and mortality. MethodsA large cohort of chronic Q fever patients was assessed to describe complications, overall mortality and chronic Q fever-related mortality. Chronic Q fever-related mortality was expressed as a case fatality rate (number of chronic Q fever-related deaths/number of chronic Q fever patients). ResultsComplications occurred in 166 of 439 (38%) chronic Q fever patients: in 61% of proven (153/249), 15% of probable (11/74), and 2% of possible chronic Q fever patients (2/116). Most frequently observed complications were acute aneurysms (14%), heart failure (13%), and non-cardiac abscesses (10%). Overall mortality was 38% (94/249) for proven chronic Q fever patients (median follow-up 3.6 years) and 22% (16/74) for probable chronic Q fever patients (median follow-up 4.7 years). The case fatality rate was 25% for proven (63/249) chronic Q fever patients and 4% for probable (3/74) chronic Q fever patients. Overall survival was significantly lower in patients with complications, compared to those without complications (p <0.001). ConclusionsIn chronic Q fever patients, complications occur frequently and contribute to the mortality rate. Patients with proven chronic Q fever have the highest risk of complications and chronic Q fever-related mortality. Prognosis for patients with possible chronic Q fever is favourable in terms of complications and mortality.

Primary and secondary arterial fistulas during chronic Q fever

ObjectiveAfter primary infection with Coxiella burnetii, patients may develop acute Q fever, which is a relatively mild disease. A small proportion of patients (1%-5%) develop chronic Q fever, which is accompanied by high mortality and can be manifested as infected arterial or aortic aneurysms or infected vascular prostheses. The disease can be complicated by arterial fistulas, which are often fatal if they are left untreated. We aimed to assess the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas and mortality in patients with proven chronic Q fever. MethodsIn a retrospective, observational study, the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas (aortoenteric, aortobronchial, aortovenous, or arteriocutaneous) in patients with proven chronic Q fever (according to the Dutch Chronic Q Fever Consensus Group criteria) was assessed. Proven chronic Q fever with a vascular focus of infection was defined as a confirmed mycotic aneurysm or infected prosthesis on imaging studies or positive result of serum polymerase chain reaction for C. burnetii in the presence of an arterial aneurysm or vascular prosthesis. ResultsOf 253 patients with proven chronic Q fever, 169 patients (67%) were diagnosed with a vascular focus of infection (42 of whom had a combined vascular focus and endocarditis). In total, 26 arterial fistulas were diagnosed in 25 patients (15% of patients with a vascular focus): aortoenteric (15), aortobronchial (2), aortocaval (4), and arteriocutaneous (5) fistulas (1 patient presented with both an aortocaval and an arteriocutaneous fistula). Chronic Q fever-related mortality was 60% for patients with and 21% for patients without arterial fistula (P < .0001). Primary fistulas accounted for 42% and secondary fistulas for 58%. Of patients who underwent surgical intervention for chronic Q fever-related fistula (n = 17), nine died of chronic Q fever-related causes (53%). Of patients who did not undergo any surgical intervention (n = 8), six died of chronic Q fever-related causes (75%). ConclusionsThe proportion of patients with proven chronic Q fever developing primary or secondary arterial fistulas is high; 15% of patients with a vascular focus of infection develop an arterial fistula. This observation suggests that C. burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, plays a role in the development of fistulas in these patients. Chronic Q fever-related mortality in patients with arterial fistula is very high, in both patients who undergo surgical intervention and patients who do not.

Mycotic aneurysm caused by Edwardsiella tarda successfully treated with stenting and suppressive antibiotic therapy: a case report and systematic review

BackgroundMycotic aneurysm is an uncommon disease which could be fatal without appropriate treatment. Although standard therapy for mycotic aneurysms consists of resection of the infected aorta and in situ graft replacement, some treat with endovascular stent-grafting because patients may not tolerate graft replacement due to underlying diseases. There are 6 more reported cases of mycotic aneurysm caused by Edwardsiella tarda. With the exception of our case, all underwent resection and debridement of the infected aorta or vascular prosthesis. Herein we report the first case ever of mycotic aneurysm caused by E. tarda, successfully treated with stenting and suppressive antibiotic therapy without resection of the infected aorta.Case presentationA 65-year-old Japanese woman with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma complained of fatigue. Her work up revealed a ruptured aneurysm of the descending aorta. She went through endovascular stent-graft placement. Edwardsiella tarda grew from blood cultures, which led to the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm. Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram negative bacillus which rarely causes infections in humans. In the case of bacteremia, its mortality is reported to be very high and all reported cases with mycotic aneurysm caused by E. tarda ended up with resection of the infected aorta.ConclusionOur case shows that in the case of mycotic aneurysm caused by E. tarda, endovascular stent-graft placement could be an alternative to in situ graft replacement.