Dacron graft erosion of the duodenum: a complication of interposition mesocaval shunt operations.

Two cases are reported of patients presenting with septicaemia as a late complication of a Dacron interposition mesocaval shunt operation. In both cases the prosthesis had eroded through the duodenal wall and the Dacron was in direct contact with intestinal contents. One patient died and the diagnosis was only made at postmortem examination. The other patient recovered after the problem had been recognized and treated surgically.