Chronic perigraft seromas in PTFE grafts

Well known complications of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts include thrombosis, infection, and pseudoaneurysms. Chronic perigraft seromas (CPS) associated with knitted dacron grafts are well described but only sporadic cases have been described in conjunction with PTFE grafts. In order to document the clinical history of PTFE associated CPS, 1674 PTFE grafts placed during the period from December 1982 through December 1984 were evaluated for the presence of CPS. Eight CPS were documented. All CPS developed in the subcutaneous location of the PTFE graft. Biochemical analysis of the seroma fluid and pathological findings implicate the source of the contents as being due to a local defect in the PTFE graft. CPS can make angioaccess difficult, cause discomfort by mass effect, and as in two patients, occlude a graft. Non-operative therapy was ineffective. Removal of the contents and as much of the pseudocapsule as possible was effective with only a single small recurrence.