An interdisciplinary approach to the prevention and treatment of groin wound complications after lower extremity revascularization.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

If not effectively treated, groin wound infections following lower extremity revascularization (LER) may result in graft or limb loss.

METHODS:

A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent muscle flap transposition by a single surgeon after LER between 2006 and 2010.

RESULTS:

Twenty-nine muscle transposition flaps were performed in 24 patients (21 sartorius, 6 rectus femoris, and 2 gracilis). Nineteen were for treatment of groin wound infections, two for treatment of lymphocele, one for coverage of exposed graft in the setting of pyoderma gangrenosum, and seven for infection prophylaxis. Two graft losses followed flap placement. The limb loss rate was 4%. When performed for therapeutic purposes, graft salvage rates were 100% for autogenous and 92% for synthetic grafts.

CONCLUSIONS:

Muscle transposition flaps are an effective means of graft salvage in the setting of groin wound complications following LER and should be considered for infection prophylaxis in high-risk patients.

• Authors: Alyssa J Reiffel, Peter W Henderson, John K Karwowski, Jason A Spector
• Journal: Annals of vascular surgery (Ann Vasc Surg) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 365-72 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1615-5947 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22055159 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Vessel Prosthesis (adverse effects)
• Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation (adverse effects, instrumentation)
• Female
• Groin
• Humans
• Interdisciplinary Communication
• Limb Salvage
• Lower Extremity (blood supply)
• Lymphocele (surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscle, Skeletal (blood supply, surgery)
• New York City
• Patient Care Team
• Peripheral Vascular Diseases (surgery)
• Postoperative Complications (microbiology, prevention & control, surgery)
• Prosthesis-Related Infections (prevention & control, surgery)
• Pyoderma Gangrenosum (surgery)
• Reoperation
• Retrospective Studies
• Surgical Flaps
• Surgical Wound Infection (prevention & control, surgery)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Veins (transplantation)