Peripheral artery reconstructions using cryopreserved arterial allografts in infected fields

Objective: Cryopreserved human arterial allografts are a recognized acceptable alternative for vascular reconstruction when other traditional conduits are either unavailable or contraindicated. We reviewed our experience using cryopreserved arterial allografts for peripheral artery reconstructions in contaminated and infected surgical fields. Methods: A single-center, retrospective review was conducted of 57 patients who underwent a peripheral vascular reconstruction using a cryopreserved arterial allograft from January 2002 through July 2017. Indications for repair included removal of infected prosthetic bypass (n = 29), revascularizations in contaminated fields (n = 11), primary arterial repair in the setting of infection (n = 10), and infected vascular closure devices (n = 7). Aorta-based repairs were excluded. Demographics, index procedural details, postoperative complications, and conduit patency were analyzed. Primary end points included conduit-related mortality and graft failure as measured by reinfection, hemorrhage, or aneurysmal degeneration. Mean follow-up for the study is 27.8 months (range, 2-125 months). Results: A total of 57 peripheral vascular reconstructions using cryopreserved arterial allografts were performed during the 15-year period. Among the 22 women and 35 men treated, the mean age was 61 years. The vascular beds involved included iliofemoral (n = 39), femoropopliteal or femoral-distal (n = 10), axillosubclavian or brachial (n = 2), mesenteric (n = 3), and carotid (n = 3) arteries. Adjunctive muscle flap coverage of the allograft conduit was performed in the majority of cases (61%; n = 35). The 30-day mortality was 9%; one death was directly related to conduit insertion. The 30-day conduit-related complication rate was 14% and included hemorrhage from the graft requiring return to the operating room (n = 4) and graft infection (n = 4). The late conduit-related complication rate was 15.8% and included graft infection (n = 1), graft thrombosis (n = 3), major amputation resulting from conduit failure (n = 1), pseudoaneurysm degeneration requiring repair (n = 2), graft hemorrhage (n = 1), and symptomatic graft stenosis (n = 1). Conclusions: A cryopreserved arterial allograft is a useful alternative conduit for peripheral vascular reconstruction in infected or contaminated surgical fields when other autologous or prosthetic conduits are either unavailable or contraindicated. In the immediate postoperative period, these repairs demonstrate acceptable resistance to graft failure and reinfection, particularly in conjunction with adjunctive rotational muscle flap coverage. Late conduit-related complications appear to be infrequent.