Postoperative inflammatory reactions of impregnated Dacron grafts

The clinical efficacy of Dacron grafts that are impregnated with collagen or gelatin has been well demonstrated, but inflammatory reactions during the first few postoperative weeks have been reported. We experienced two patients, an 87-year-old man with a reconstruction of an abdominal aorta and a 7-year-old boy with a reconstruction of aortic arch with a collagen-impregnated graft (Hemashield), who continued to demonstrate a high fever with a high serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobin for more than 5 months. The body temperature, the white blood cell (WBC) counts, and the serum level of CRP were compared on the seventh and 14th postoperative day among the 37 patients who underwent a reconstruction of either a thoracic or abdominal aorta using the Hemashield graft (Hemashield group) and a nonimpregnated graft (control group) in our hospital. An elevation of body temperature above 38 degrees C was seen 29% of the patients in the Hemashield group and 0% in the control group. No significant differences were seen in the WBC counts, but the serum level of CRP was significantly higher on the 14th postoperative day in the Hemashield group. We should therefore pay careful attention to inflammatory reactions after the implantation of the impregnated grafts.