Experimental Protection of Vascular Prosthesis by Omentum

Abstract

A CONTINUING problem in vascular surgery is the prevention and control of infection in the presence of artificial grafts. The infection rate associated with artificial grafts has ranged from 1.3%1 to 6%2 with the final outcome from this complication frequently being either death or a major amputation. The purpose of this paper is to describe an experimental study devised to prevent infection from occurring with vascular prostheses and for controlling infections, even if only temporarily, when it occurs. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Thirty-eight dogs of both sexes, weighing between 9.5 and 22.7 kg (21 and 50 lb), were divided into two series: A and B. <h3>Series A—Potential Vascular Infection.</h3> —Twenty dogs were divided into two groups of ten each and were alternately operated upon. One group of dogs underwent laparotomy, at which time a section of their abdominal aorta between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation, approximately 4 cm