Background: In situ synthetic grafts are not routinely used for aortoiliac reconstruction in the presence of active or potential infection, while the use of a venous autologous graft in these circumstances is limited by the size and length of the venous conduit that is required, the superficial femoral vein being most frequently used.
Methods: We describe a new technique in which an autologous venous conduit was constructed with side-to-side anastomosed segments of a longitudinally opened greater saphenous vein. Thus the diameter of the new conduit was increased.
Results: This venous graft was successfully used to repair an isolated common iliac aneurysm in a patient with sigmoid cancer, as part of a combined procedure. At 1 year follow-up the venous graft has not shown any signs of dilatation or stenosis on CT scanning.
Conclusions: If validated by further work, our novel graft could be used in cases of intraabdominal graft infections and mycotic aneurysms instead of deep leg veins.