The prevention and treatment of vascular graft infection with a Triclosan (Irgasan®)-bonded Dacron graft:: an experimental study in the pig

Objectives: to evaluate the role of Triclosan (Irgasan(R)) in the prevention of prosthetic graft infection. Material and methods: fifty-one pigs were assigned randomly to six groups. Group I (graft) and II (graft and Triclosan) were control groups. Groups III (graft) and IV (grafts and Triclosan) were contaminated with 2 x 10(7) CFU/ml S. aureus. Groups V (graft) and VI (graft and Triclosan) were intraoperatively contaminated with 2 x 10(7) CFU/ml S. aureus and reoperated on after 7 days. Remaining animal were sacrificed on day 28. The end point of investigation was vascular graft infection, defined as the bacteriological and/or histological proof of infection. Results: in both control groups no vascular graft infections were detected in Groups I and II. All of the group III animals presented but none of the group IV developed a graft infection (p<0.02). All of the group V animals presented and 10 of 12 animals developed a graft infection. Conclusion: in this animal model Triclosan bonding appears effective in preventing prosthetic graft infection. However, the in situ replacement of Triclosan-protected grafts was not successful in the treatment of graft infection.