Complications of aortofemoral graft reconstructions.

A retrospective study of 162 patients with synthetic aortofemoral grafts was made. The total number of distal femoral anastomoses was 309. The indication for reconstruction was chronic occlusive arterial disease. Early mortality rate was 3.1%. There were only three primary thromboses. The incidence of deep infection was 1.2%. False aneurysms occurred in 12 distal anastomoses, a frequency of 3.9%. The mean time of occurrence of pseudoaneurysms was 4.6 years after surgery. No single etiologic factor responsible for false aneurysm formation was found. Considering the low complication rate, aortofemoral grafting can be regarded as suitable for extended reconstruction.