Infected arterial prosthetic graft with loss of limbs. A case report

A case of serious infection after arterial graft implantation is reported. Sixteen months after the operation, a large abscess developed in the iliac fossa around the graft. On admission he was in a poor condition with septicaemia. Following arteriography, which showed occlusion of the lumbar aorta as well as the iliac arteries, both legs became completely ischaemic. Various surgical procedures were performed, including thrombectomy, axillofemoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass. However, permanently sufficient circulation of the limbs could not be maintained and a femoral and crural amputation was necessary.