Complications of vascular prostheses

The main complications from the use of vascular prostheses in the surgical reconstruction of the arteries are thrombosis, infection and the appearance of pseudoaneurysms. Among 233 aorto-femoral bypasses, prosthetic thrombosis occurred in 45 patients creating the need for 66 reoperations, 19 early and 47 late. In 387 aorto-iliac reconstructions, infection arose early in 11 cases and late in 6. Out of 1118 vascular reconstructions there were also 28 pseudoaneurysms (2.5%). After remarks on the aetiopathogenesis of such complications, methods that can be used to prevent them are discussed and personal results of treatment are presented.