Ann Surg Treat Res.  2015 Jul;89(1):51-54. 10.4174/astr.2015.89.1.51.

Use of cryopreserved cadaveric arterial allograft as a vascular conduit for peripheral arterial graft infection

• Kwon H
• Kwon H
• Hong JP
• Han Y
• Park H
• Song GW
• Kwon TW
• Cho YP

• KMID: 2047715
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2015.89.1.51

Abstract

Major peripheral arterial graft infection is a potentially devastating complication of vascular surgery, associated with significant mortality and high amputation rates. Autologous saphenous veins are considered optimal arterial conduits for lower extremity revascularization in infected fields, but they are often unavailable or unsuitable in these patients. This study describes two patients with major peripheral graft infection, but without available autologous veins, who underwent graft excision and cryopreserved cadaveric arterial allograft reconstruction. Although long-term graft durability is unclear because of gradual deterioration and degeneration, these findings suggest that cadaveric allografts may be good options for patients with major peripheral graft infection.

Keyword

Blood vessel prosthesis; Infection; Tissue preservation; Cadaver; Allografts

MeSH Terms

Allografts*
Amputation
Blood Vessel Prosthesis
Cadaver*
Humans
Lower Extremity
Mortality
Saphenous Vein
Tissue Preservation
Transplants*
Veins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Findings in case 1. (A) Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scan, showing rupture of the right superficial femoral artery (white arrow) with active extravasation. (B) Intraoperative findings included skin and muscle necrosis and intense perivascular inflammation with destruction of the interposed vein wall (white arrows). (C) After complete debridement of the infected tissue, a cryopreserved cadaveric iliac artery (white arrows) was used for superficial femoral artery interposition bypass. (D) On postoperative day 14, an anterolateral thigh free flap was performed and a follow-up photograph was taken before discharge.

• 

  Fig. 2 Results in case 2. (A) CT scan 4 years after surgery, showing aneurysmal changes in the cadaveric allograft (white arrows). (B) A gross specimen of the resected cadaveric iliac arterial allograft.

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