Abdominal aneurysmectomy following previous peritonitis

R. E. Casali and R. C. Read

Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in two patients (one emergency and one elective) several months after a bout of peritonitis resulted in graft sepsis. Bacteria cultured from the episodes of peritonitis and from graft sepsis were identical. Repair in elective cases should probably be postponed for at least one year. In urgent or emergency cases, especially when any contamination is encountered, ligation of the aorta and extra-anatomic bypass grafts should be performed.