Femoral triangle sepsis in dialysis patients: frequency, management, and outcome

Prosthetic devices for dialysis access sometimes have to be implanted in the groin. Infections are frequent there, and when they occur their management is influenced by the patients' need for continued dialysis, and often, by the presence of concomitant diseases. We report implantation of 161 dialysis access devices of various types, all utilizing the femoral vessels. Twenty-seven femoral triangle injections eventually occurred. Both the approach to their treatment and outcome were influenced by mode of presentation, localized infection being most favorable, and fever without localized signs least. The compromise surgical procedures made necessary by the patients' precarious medical status were successful in most instances but overall mortality was 18%, and the amputation rate 22%.