Gluteal infarction as a complication of aortofemoral bypass grafting

Early complications following aortofemoral bypass grafting include acute limb ischemia, renal failure, bowel and spinal cord ischemia, and myocardial infarction. Although the literature recognizes these more common complications, we have found very few reports that raised the possibility of an anatomically determined, soft-tissue infarction as a complication of aortofemoral bypass grafting. Our plastic surgery service was consulted in August and October 1992 to examine 2 patients with soft-tissue complications following aortofemoral bypass grafting. Both patients were found to have complete gluteal infarction. Recognition of muscle infarction following aortofemoral grafting must be distinguished from postoperative pressure sores, since the muscle infarction requires prompt and thorough anatomic debridement to prevent in situ muscle liquefaction and sepsis.