Between 1990 and 1996 at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical Academy in Wrocław 34 patients with groin aneurysms were operated. All patients had aorto-bifemoral graft implantation before. The age range between 41 and 81 years. Among patients there were 4 women and 30 men. The diagnosis of groin aneurysm was based on physical and ultrasound examination. In each case scintigraphy with 99Tc labeled leukocytes was performed. Scintigraphic picture showed graft infection in eight (23.5%) patients (group I). In 26 (76.5%) cases (group II) there was no infection on scintigraphy. In group I all patients were operated-the infected graft was excised and then implantation of straight PTFE or venous by-pass "in situ" was performed. In group II all patient were also operated, but through the groin approach only -in 9 cases reconstruction of the anastomosis between graft and artery was done and in 17 cases PTFE by-pass was performed. In group I the results of the treatment were good in 6 cases; in remaining two patients the amputation of the leg had to be done. In group II the results of the operation was good in 24 cases and 2 patients had amputation of the leg.
Conclusion: Scintigraphy with 99Tc labeled leukocytes is beneficial in the diagnosis of infected groin aneurysms after previous vascular reconstruction.