[Dacron prosthesis dilatation. Case report and review of the literature]

Twelve years after implantation of a subclavian-femoral Dacron prosthesis the graft had to be replaced because of diffuse aneurysmatic dilatation. There was no infection documented. Dilatation of knitted Dacron prostheses under arterial pressure is a normal event but rarely causes graft failure due to aneurysm formation. The following problems can promote graft dilatation: fabrication defects, multiple sterilization, false storage, damage during the operation, infection or/and hematoma, host vs graft reaction, constant mechanical stress due to anatomical facts, material fatigue and gliding of fibers and chemical reactions because of bioinstability. We recommend to use rather small sized prostheses in the aorto-iliac system. Some authors recommend long-term follow-up of all patients with artificial grafts.