Related Experiment Videos
Rupture of Dacron aorto-femoral graft. Case report
1Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Insights
A patient experienced massive bleeding due to a ruptured aorto-bifemoral bypass graft. Emergency surgery successfully repaired the graft, leading to an uneventful recovery.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Graft Complications
Background:
- Aorto-bifemoral bypass grafts are used to treat obstructive arterial disease.
- Knitted-Dacron grafts are a common material for bypass surgery.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old male presented with massive bleeding, a pulsating mass in the right iliac fossa, and scrotal enlargement.
- Echo color-Doppler revealed a 5 cm dilation in the right iliac graft branch and a perigraft hematoma extending to the scrotum.
Findings:
- Emergency surgery identified a large rupture in the aorto-bifemoral Dacron graft.
- The dilated, ruptured segment was resected and replaced with a new 8 mm Dacron graft.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious complication of aorto-bifemoral bypass grafts.
- Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for managing graft rupture and ensuring patient survival.
Abstract:
A 74-year-old patient was admitted to our department in a serious general condition due to massive bleeding. He had been treated 10 years previously in another hospital with an aorto-bifemoral bypass for obstructive disease using a knitted-Dacron graft. A large pulsating mass was present in the right iliac fossa as well as enormous pulsating enlargement of the scrotum. Echo color-Doppler investigation detected dilation up to 5 cm in diameter of the right branch of the graft and a large perigraft hematoma communicating with a similar mass in the scrotum. The patient was submitted to emergency surgery and a large rupture of the graft was found. The dilated segment was resected and replaced by a new 8 mm Dacron graft. Postoperative course was uneventful.