Infected aortic grafts and aortic fistulas

Infection in prosthetic grafts of the aorta and in the groin present different problems. Retroperitoneal sepsis must be treated by total removal of the graft. This is probably equally true for acutely infected grafts seen in enteric fistula. The surgical technique described can be performed in one stage. The principles of treatment for groin infections are the same as for infections associated with prosthetic grafts. The hazard is more to limb than to life, since the infection tends to point outward in the groin and thus be confined. The technique for dealing with groin infections, as presented, is straightforward.