Abstract

Objective: A retrospective study is performed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment of graft infections (GI) after abdominal wall closure with polytetrafleuroethylene (PTFE) grafts in neonates.

Methods: Neonates with graft repair were evaluated for age, sex, birth weight, gestational week and development of GI retrospectively.

Results: Among 13 neonates, five (38.5%) of them developed clinical findings of GI. The indications of graft repair were congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n=10, 76.9%), omphalocele (n=1, 7.6%) and gastroschisis (n=2, 15.3%). The mean gestational age and birth weights of all cases were 37.4 weeks, 2985 g (1750-3850 g) and 38 weeks, 2920 g (1750-3600 g) in neonates with GI. Staphylococcus aureus (n=4) was the most common isolated microorganism in wound cultures. The graft was removed in one of the neonates with positive blood steam cultures and clinical findings of sepsis.

Conclusion: GI may occur in approximately one third of the abdominal wall repairs with PTFE in neonates.

Cite as: Gördü B, Soyer T, Boybeyi Türer Ö, Tanyel F. Graft Infections After Abdominal Closure With Polytetrafleuroethylene Graft in Neonates. Çoc. Cer. Derg. 2021;35(3):143-7.