Introduction: Vascular graft infection is a rare (0.8-2.6%) but serious complication of reconstructive vascular surgery, that comprises limb-threatening when located in the groin.
Purpose: Review our experience in the treatment of infected groin wounds after femoral surgery by using sartorius myoplasty.
Materials and methods: Between January 1989 and October 1993, 13 patients with infected groin wounds involving vascular graft (Grade III of Szilagyi) were treated with local gently debridement, 10% povidone iodide lavage for 5 days, local and systemic antibodies for 14 days and in situ change of the infected graft followed by sartorius myoplasty, detaching its origin from superior anterior iliac spine and fixing it to inguinal ligament, except in one case where tissue cultures were negative and the graft was not changed. Follow-up was done using clinical and echographical criteria at 3, 6, 12 months after operation, and annually.
Results: Hospital mean stage was 10 days (8-13). The mean follow-up was 36 months (12-65). There was only one immediate complication from hemorrhage that needed surgery. The patient whose graft was not changed developed an abscess in the prosthetic bed 12 weeks after treatment. It was necessary to change it after debridement and antibiotics. No mortality was related to this technique.
Conclusions: Sartorius myoplasty, with detaching and origin transposition, after in situ change of infected graft, is an excellent therapeutic option for reconstruction and treatment for infected groins with vascular grafts because it is easy to perform and offers very good results in long-term follow-up.