Search

Background Surgical site infections (SSI) in the groin after vascular surgery are common. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on SSI incidence when applied on closed inguinal incisions after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). Between November 2013 and December 2020, 377 incisions (336 bilateral and 41 unilateral) from elective EVAR procedures with the primary intent of fascia closure were randomized and included, receiving either NPWT or a standard dressing. In bilateral incisions, each incision randomly received the opposite dressing of the other side, thereby becoming each other’s control. The primary endpoint was SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively, analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Uni and bilaterally operated incisions were analyzed separately, and their respective p-values combined using Fisher’s method for combining P-values. Study protocol (NCT01913132). Results The SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively in bilateral incisions was 1.8% (n = 3/168) in the NPWT and 4.8% (n = 8/168) in the standard dressing group, and in unilateral incisions 13.3% (n = 2/15) and 11.5% (n = 3/26), respectively (combined p = 0.49). In all SSIs, bacteria were isolated from incisional wound cultures. No additional SSIs were diagnosed between 90 days and 1 year follow-up. Conclusions No evidence of difference in SSI incidence was seen in these low-risk inguinal incisions when comparing NPWT with standard dressings after EVAR with the primary intent of fascia closure. Clinical Trials: NCT01913132.

Objective The aim was to describe the microbiology of surgically treated infective native (mycotic) aortic aneurysms (INAAs), and associated survival and development of infection-related complications (IRCs). Methods Data were pooled from 2 nationwide studies on surgically treated patients with INAAs in Sweden, between 1994 – 2016. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to culture results: 1) Staphylococcus aureus, 2) Streptococcus species (sp.), 3) Salmonella sp., 4) Enterococcus sp., 5) Gram-negative intestinal bacteria, 6) Other sp. (all other species found in culture), and 7) Negative cultures. Results A sum of 182 patients were included, mean age 71 years (standard deviation; SD: 8.9). The median follow-up was 50.3 months (range 0 – 360). 128 (70.3%) patients had positive blood and/or tissue culture; Staphylococcus aureus n = 38 (20.9%), Streptococcus sp. n = 37 (20.3%), Salmonella sp. n = 19 (10.4%), Enterococcus sp. n = 16 (8.8%), Gram-negative intestinal bacteria n = 6, (3.3%), Other sp. n = 12 (6.6%) and Negative cultures n = 54 (29.7%). The estimated survival for the largest groups at 2-years after surgery was: Staphylococcus aureus 62% (95% Confidence interval 53.9 – 70.1), Streptococcus sp. 74.7% (67.4 – 82.0), Salmonella sp. 73.7% (63.6 – 83.8), Enterococcus sp. 61.9% (49.6 – 74.2), and Negative cultures 89.8% (85.5 – 94.1), P = .051. There were 37 IRCs (20.3%), and 19 (51.4%) were fatal, the frequency was insignificant between the groups. The majority of IRCs, 30/37 (81%), developed during the first postoperative year. Conclusion In this assessment of microbiological findings of INAAs in Sweden, 50% of the pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., or Salmonella sp.. The overall 20%-frequency of IRCs, and its association with high mortality, motivates long-term antibiotic treatment regardless of microbial findings.

Objective: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) are treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (rEVAR) increasingly often. Despite rEVAR being a minimally invasive method, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) remains a significant post-operative threat. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for ACS after rEVAR, including aortic morphological features. Methods: The Swedish vascular registry (Swedvasc) was assessed for ACS after rEVAR in the period 2008 - 2015. All patients identified were compared with controls (i.e., patients who did not develop ACS after rEVAR), matched by centre and repair date. Case records were reviewed, and radiology images analysed in a core laboratory. Comparisons were performed with respect to physiological and radiological risk factors. Results: The study population consisted of 40 patients with ACS and 68 controls. Pre-operatively, patients with ACS had a lower blood pressure (BP) than controls (median 70 mmHg vs. 97 mmHg; p

Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare, life threatening, and complex. This nationwide study aimed to assess outcome after repair of mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysms (MTAAs).Patients treated in Sweden for MTAAs between 2000 and 2016 were identified in the Swedish vascular registry (2010-16) and local patient registries (2000-09). Primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included surgical strategy, rate of infection related complications (IRC), and re-operations.Fifty-two patients (median age 71 ± 8.1 years; 28 [54%] men, 13 [25%] ruptured) were identified (3.6% of all thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs in Sweden). Aneurysm location was aortic arch (n = 6; 11%), descending aorta (n = 42; 81%), and multiple locations (n = 4; 8%). Twenty-nine (56%) patients had positive cultures; the most prevalent agent was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 16; 31%). Operative techniques included thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR; n = 35 [67%]), fenestrated/branched TEVAR (n = 8; 15%), hybrid repair (n = 7; 14%), and open patch repair (n = 2; 4%). Survival was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88-96) at 30 days, 88% (95% CI 84-93) at three months, 78% (73-84) at one year, and 71% (64-77) at five years. The mean follow up among survivors (90 days) was 45 months (range 4-216 months). Antibiotics were administered for a median of 15 weeks (range 0-220 weeks). IRCs occurred in nine patients (17%): sepsis (n = 3), graft infection (n = 3), recurrent mycotic aneurysm (n = 1), aorto-oesophageal/bronchial fistula (n = 2). Six (67%) IRCs were fatal; 80% occurred within the first year. Re-operations were performed in nine patients (17%).TEVAR was often used as treatment for MTAAs, with acceptable short- and long-term survival when compared with open cohorts in the literature. IRCs are of concern and warrant follow up and long-term antibiotic treatment.

Background: No reliable comparative data exist between open repair (OR) and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysms (MAAAs). This nationwide study assessed outcomes after OR and EVAR for MAAA in a population-based cohort. Methods: All patients treated for MAAAs in Sweden between 1994 and 2014 were identified in the Swedish vascular registry. The primary aim was to assess survival after MAAA with OR and EVAR. Secondary aims were analyses of the rate of recurrent infections and reoperations, and time trends in surgical treatment. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. A propensity score–weighted correction for risk factor differences in the 2 groups was performed, including the operation year to account for differences in treatment and outcomes over time. Results: We identified 132 patients (0.6% of all operated abdominal aortic aneurysms in Sweden). Mean age was 70 years (standard deviation, 9.2), and 50 presented with rupture. Survival at 3 months was 86% (95% confidence interval, 80%–92%), at 1 year 79% (72%–86%), and at 5 years 59% (50%–68%). The preferred operative technique shifted from OR to EVAR after 2001 (proportion EVAR 1994–2000 0%, 2001–2007 58%, 2008–2014 60%). Open repair was performed in 62 patients (47%): aortic resection and extra-anatomic bypass (n=7), in situ reconstruction (n=50), and patch plasty (n=3); 2 patients died intraoperatively. EVAR was performed in 70 patients (53%): standard EVAR (n=55), fenestrated/branched EVAR (n=8), and visceral deviation with stent grafting (n=7); no deaths occurred intraoperatively. Survival at 3 months was lower for OR than for EVAR (74% versus 96%, P P =0.054). A propensity score–weighted risk-adjusted analysis confirmed the early better survival associated with EVAR. During median follow-up of 36 and 41 months for OR and EVAR, respectively, there was no difference in long-term survival (5 years 60% versus 58%, P =0.771), infection-related complications (18% versus 24%, P =0.439), or reoperation (21% versus 24%, P =0.650). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a paradigm shift in treatment of MAAA in Sweden, with EVAR being the preferred treatment modality. EVAR was associated with improved short-term survival in comparison with OR, without higher associated incidence of serious infection-related complications or reoperations.

The usage of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, also known as aortic balloon occlusion, is an emerging method for bleeding control as a bridge to definitive treatment in trauma management. We describe a trauma case where resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was used as part of the EndoVascular hybrid Trauma and bleeding Management concept to facilitate transient hemorrhage control and thereby to permit damage control surgery. The case is an illustration of the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach.

Innominate artery (IA) traumatic injuries are rare but life-threatening, with high mortality and morbidity. Open surgical repair is the treatment of choice but is technically demanding. We describe a case of blunt trauma to the IA with ongoing bleeding, treated successfully by combined (hybrid) endovascular and open surgery. The case demonstrates the immediate usage of modern endovascular and surgical tools as part of endovascular and hybrid trauma management.