Failure of dacron arterial prostheses caused by structural defects

Abstract

We have observed unusual aneurysmal complications associated with structural defects of Dacron fabrics in three patients. The first patient had beadshape aneurysms along the course of the bilateral axillo-femoral prosthetic bypasses 4 or 5 years after surgery. Round defects or longitudinal rents in the lower third of the prostheses (Vascular-D knitted Dacron graft of high porosity, USCI) were the source of the aneurysmal complications. In the second patient, the transverse diameter of the aorto-femoral Dacron graft (Vascular-D, USCI) was increased to twice that of the original graft with formation of an anastomotic false aneurysm in the groin 3 1/2 years after surgery. The defective prostheses in these two cases were successfully replaced by Cooley double velour knitted Dacron grafts. The third patient developed an arterio-ureteral fistula originating from a round defect of the aorto-femoral prosthesis (Tetoron that is woven Dacron graft with a low porosity, Nakao-Filter, Japan) 8 years postoperatively and died from massive hematuria and subsequent disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Microscopic examination of the removed prostheses revealed a complete loss of the conformation of the weave with fragmentation and disruption of the graft fibers. Therefore, patients with Dacron arterial prostheses should be followed up regularly and with great care.