[A case of successful treatment of mediastinitis and prosthetic graft infection after aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction].

Thoracic graft infection is a serious complication with high mortality. We report a case of successful treatment of mediastinitis and graft infection after aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction. A 56-year-old woman underwent surgery for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm was replaced with prosthetic grafts. She had a high fever on the 12th postoperative day (POD). A Chest X-ray and CT scan demonstrated fluid collection around the grafts. On the 17th POD, mediastinal drainage was performed and Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected. Because of the difficulty to replace the infected grafts, a continuous drainage from the mediastinal cavity around the grafts was induced for 17 days and sensitive antibiotics to the pathogen was administered systemically for 40 days. Inflammatory reactions were improved and her general condition was stabilized. On the 64th POD, she was discharged.