Interesting Case Series Omental Flap for Thoracic Aortic Graft Infection

A 73-year-old man presents 2.5 weeks status postascending aortic and hemiarch synthetic graft replacement with a purulent sternal wound infection. QUESTIONS 1. What is the cause of aortic prosthetic graft infection and how frequently does it occur? 2. Howdo patients with aortic graft infection present and how is the diagnosis made? 3. What are the treatment modalities for thoracic aortic graft infection? 4. What is the role of the omental flap and what are its advantages over other flaps? DISCUSSION Prosthetic aortic grafts are frequently used in cardiothoracic surgery to repair aortic aneurysms, dissections, ruptures, or occlusive disease. While only 1 % to 3 % of these grafts become infected, a mortality rate between 25 % and 88 % makes early diagnosis and proper management imperative. Although infections may occur via contamination dur