ABSTRACT
Vascular gra infection is one of the dicult challenges vascular surgeons may face. Traditional management of infected arterial gras includes mandatory excision of the entire gra with subsequent revascularization. Due to the high morbidity and the related risk of limb loss and even death, various new strategies of prevention, but also complete or partial gra salvage that may be useful in the management of these dicult conditions, have been investigated. ese include total gra excision (including implanted stent gras), debridement of infected tissue and in situ reconstruction or revascularization through non-infected tissue planes or antimicrobial prosthetic gras if inadequate collateral circulation exists. Veith was one of the rst to suggest gra preservation as a possible special exception for highrisk patients.1 e use of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a promising adjunct measure not only to close dehiscent surgical sites but may also change therapeuticoperative concepts for gra infections.2
