Removal of an infected aortic endograft and open aortic reconstruction: technical remarks

Infection of an aortic endoprosthesis is a potentially lethal complication of an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Surgical treatment usually involves excision of the infected endograft and vascular reconstruction, either in-line or extraanatomic. We present a case of severe infection of an endograft with suprarenal fixation. The one-stage procedure describes an in-line aortic reconstruction using a hybrid allograft composed of cryopreserved segments of cadaveric thoracic aorta and superficial femoral vein. A novel device for the removal of suprarenal fixating struts is described, as well as other technical maneuvers related to the removal of the struts used by surgeons in the community. The technique and surgical approach should be individualized based on patient characteristics, preoperative imaging, and knowledge of endograft construction.