Dilatation and rupture of Dacron arterial grafts.

Dilatation and rupture of Dacron vascular grafts have been infrequently reported in the literature. Graft rupture occurred in five patients of a series of some 300 Cooley double velour knitted Dacron arterial prostheses implanted at Haukeland Hospital. An incidence of 3% graft ruptures has been reported in the literature. It is important that this complication is recognized and properly treated by the vascular surgeon. Regular life-long follow-up examinations of all patients with vascular prostheses are recommended.