Protection of Abdominal Aortic Grafts by Omentum Flap

Prosthetic graft infection is a devastating complication of aortic surgery with a high morbidity and mortality. In selected cases the use of an omentum pedicle provides excellent coverage of the aortic prosthesis and interposes viable tissue between the suture line and abdominal viscera. The omentum is superior to preaortic soft tissue because of its availability, vascularity, and lymphatic drain age. The technique is outlined and an illustrative case presented.