Predictors of prosthetic graft infection after arterial reconstructions in the groin

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of patient and surgery related risk factors and antibiotic prophylaxis on prosthetic graft infection in patients undergoing arterial reconstructions in the groin area. Methods. In a cohort of 202 consecutive patients, we performed a case-control analysis comparing two groups of patients: with or without graft infection (GI), considering baseline characteristics, risk factors, the use of antibiotic prophylactics and, as a major end point, occurrence of graft infection with or without graft explantation Chi-square, Fischer's Exact and Student's t tests were used for univariate comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to make a prediction model for independent variables associated with graft infection. (SPSS version 18.0). Results. Multivariate analysis indicated that early revision surgery was independently associated with the occurrence of graft infection (P=0.002, OR 23.0, 95% CI 3.25-163.0), whereas the use of rifampicin-bonded grafts was associated with the absence of graft infection (P=0.002, OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.002-0.224). Conclusion. Reduction of graft infections and subsequent graft explantation can be achieved with the use of rifampicin-soaked grafts.