The time frame for a surgical site infection associated with an aortic graft or endovascular device is 1 year.
Infections may involve:
(1) the superficial or deep incision
(2) localized about the graft
(3) along the entire prosthesis
(4) adjacent bowel
Types of infection involving the prosthesis:
(1) limited to a limb of the aortofemoral graft
(1a) associated with contiguous infection (appendicitis, diverticulitis)
(1b) localized to groin segment
(1b1) invasive
(1b2) biofilm -elated
(2) involving the entire graft
(2a) invasive
(2b) biofilm-related
(3) gut-associated
(3a) mycotic aneurysm secondary to graft-enteric fistula
(3b) graft erosion into the gut (GEE)
Biofilm-related infections with Staphylococcus epidermidis may be treated with a rifampin-impregnated graft.
A femoris profunda vein (FPV) graft may be used to treat:
(1) graft erosion into the gut (GEE)
(2) an infection involving the entire graft
(3) an invasive infection involving the limb of a graft
