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Complicated chronic pancreatitis causing mycotic aortic aneurysm: in situ replacement with a cryopreserved aortic

C Knosalla1, M Bauer, Y g Weng

  • 1Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin and Abteilung für Allgemein-und Transplantationschirurgie, Universitätsklinkum Charité-Campus Virchow, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Insights

A rare case of mycotic aortic aneurysm caused by infected pancreatic pseudocysts is presented. In situ aortic replacement with a cryopreserved allograft proved effective, even in a severely infected surgical field.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic pancreatitis can lead to rare complications like infected pancreatic pseudocysts.
  • These pseudocysts can extend to the retroperitoneum, potentially causing a mycotic aortic aneurysm.

Observation:

  • A patient with chronic pancreatitis developed a mycotic aortic aneurysm secondary to infected pancreatic pseudocysts and retroperitoneal abscess.
  • Surgical intervention involved median laparotomy for debridement and resection of the aneurysm.

Findings:

  • The infrarenal abdominal aorta was successfully reconstructed in situ using a cryopreserved aortic allograft.
  • This approach was feasible despite the presence of gross infection in the surgical field.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for pancreatic pseudocysts to cause devastating aortic infections.
  • Cryopreserved aortic allografts demonstrate promise for in situ aortic reconstruction in complex, infected environments.

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