INFECTED ARTERIOSCLEROTIC ANEURYSM OF ABDOMINAL AORTA

A review of the literature reveals that tuberculous aortic aneurysm and an infected dissecting aortic aneurysm have been resected and replaced with grafts with success. However, no report of resection of an infected arteriosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm with survival of the patient was found. Such a case with nearly four years survival without complication of any kind is presented. The principles of (1) resection and removal of all dead and infected material, (2) replacement with minimal graft and suture material, and (3) massive and prolonged antibiotic therapy, both during and after operation, are thought to have contributed to the survival of the patient. Previous right iliac artery occlusion with establishment of adequate collateral for the viability of the right leg allowed for the use of minimal graft and suture material. The fact that the infecting organism was a hemolytic streptococcus which was highly sensitive to antibiotic agents further contributed to the happy outcome. © 1969.