Infected Groin (Graft/Patch): Managed with Sartorious Muscle Flap

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Infectious Disease
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Groin infections, including those involving prosthetic grafts and lymphoceles, pose significant clinical challenges.
• Sartorius muscle flap (SMF) is a reconstructive option for managing complex groin wounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the natural history, clinical outcomes, and safety of SMF for treating groin infections and lymphoceles.
• To evaluate SMF as a single-intervention therapy for these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patient records from a single center (2000-2009).
• Analysis of 30 patients who underwent SMF for groin infections or lymphocele.
• Inclusion of data on graft types, microbial isolates, adjunctive therapies, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• SMF was performed for infections of femoral bypass grafts (n=22), patch grafts (n=5), and lymphoceles (n=3).
• Gram-positive organisms were the most common isolates (n=22).
• Reoperation was required in 3 patients; one mortality case due to sepsis occurred.

Conclusions:

• SMF surgery offers successful single-intervention therapy for groin infections and lymphoceles.
• Graft ligation or excision with bypass is reserved for life-saving sepsis control.