[Autologous reconstruction with a femoral vein in cases of infection in synthetic prosthetic vascular grafts].

Infection in central prosthetic vascular grafts is a serious threat to both life and limb of the patient. Replacement of the infected material with autologous graft material is the logical treatment. Only recently, however, has it been demonstrated that it is possible to remove the patient's own femoral vein and use it as an arterial conduit. We report our initial experience with the first three operations performed in this country.