Graft for mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm: omental wrapping to prevent infection

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2005 Mar;13(1):11-6. doi: 10.1177/021849230501300103.

Abstract

Nine cases of mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm were treated surgically between July 1995 and March 2003. The aneurysms were located in the ascending aorta in 1 patient, the descending thoracic aorta in 5, and the thoracoabdominal aorta in 3. Preoperatively, 3 patients were in shock due to rupture of the aneurysm. All patients underwent aneurysmectomy and in-situ graft placement. In 5 patients, the graft was covered with a pedicled omental flap to prevent postoperative graft infection. There were 2 hospital deaths: one patient died of multi-organ failure, and the other died from intrathoracic bleeding. After discharge, one patient died from intrathoracic bleeding 3 months after surgery. These 3 patients had not received omental wrapping. Postoperative graft infection did not occur in the 6 surviving patients during a mean follow-up period of 4.0 +/- 3.1 years. It was concluded that covering the prosthetic graft with a pedicled omental flap may help prevent postoperative graft infection and improve the surgical results.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, Infected / mortality
  • Aneurysm, Infected / surgery*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / mortality
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Omentum / surgery*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / mortality
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / prevention & control*
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome