Successful management of prosthetic graft infection with continuous povidone-iodine irrigation.

In ten consecutive patients, prosthetic graft infections were managed by a continuous povidone-iodine irrigation technique supplemented by intravenous administration of an appropriate antibiotic. A colostomy bag apparatus was used to ensure constant soaking and immersion of the infected wound. Wound healing occurred in all patients either by secondary intention, direct suturing, or rotation graft technique, and all grafts except one have remained patent and functional over a follow-up period of one to four years. The effectiveness of this management modality permits control of infection without the necessity of prosthetic graft removal and eliminates the need for other intricate bypass operations in these patients with sepsis who are often critically ill.