The role of septic complications in aortic aneurysm surgery.

Out of 229 patients operated due to abdominal aortic aneurysms, 51 (22.3%) had prolonged (> 120 hours) postoperative intensive care stay. The mortality rate in this group was 27% representing 46% of the total mortality. Twenty-five of these 51 patients had postoperative septic complications, meaning positive blood cultures. Clinically wound infections (11), acalculous cholecystitis (9), urinary tract infections (9), septicemia (6), and diffuse peritonitis or abdominal abscess were found (4). Reoperations, time for ventilatory support, incidence of renal failure and dialysis, gastrointestinal complications and mortality were all frequent in patients with septic postoperative complications as compared to those with non-septic complications, the latter mainly of cardiovascular origin. Signs of organ dysfunction should raise a suspicion of a septic complication and prompt insertion of diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions are necessary in order to minimize morbidity and mortality.