[Infected groin following vascular surgery]

From August 1972 to July 1973 174 vascular reconstructions in the iliac and femoro-popliteal region were performed. All infections of the groin incision were classified according to Szilagyi. 22% class I and II infections, 2% class III infections were found (3 patients). In two of these patients the bleeding was managed by the following method: The infected piece of the artery was resected. The vascular continuity was reconstructed by autologous vein. The anastomoses were burried in uninfected surrounding muscles. Both patients left the clinic with open leg arteries. Unfortunately we lost the third patient doing an extraanatomical bypass. The reasons for the high incidence of groin infections are discussed.