[Fresh homologous arterial transplant as aorto-iliac-femoral vascular replacement in prosthesis infection].

A patient with late graft infection in the groin following aorto-bifemoral-Dacron-bypass and recurrent infection of extra-anatomic bypasses is presented. Despite the evidence or graft infection (by preoperative imaging studies and intraoperative perigraft purulence) cultures did not identify the infective organism. Retrospectively a graft infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis is supposed as the most likely cause. A graft replacement with freshly harvested, not cryopreserved arterial homograft was performed. The perfusion of the extremities was excellent, the wounds healed perfectly. In special indications freshly harvested cadaveric arterial homografts are an acceptable substitute for infected aorto-femoral grafts.