Back to 2016 Karmody Posters

OBJECTIVE:
Groin complications after vascular surgical procedures remain a significant problem. Porcine-derived extracellular matrix powder (ECM) has been reported to improve wound healing in other studies.
METHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent groin dissection during a vascular surgical procedure between October, 2011 and March, 2015. Data collection included demographics, past medical histories, complications, subsequent procedures, and patient survival.
RESULTS:
We performed 333 groin dissections for vascular procedures in 257 patients (108 women, 149 men). In 114 groins, ECM was applied during wound closure. Surgeons primarily elected to use ECM when they felt the patient was high risk for developing a groin complication. Patients who had ECM used were significantly more likely to have peripheral arterial disease (82% vs. 68%, p = 0.002), use tobacco (82% vs. 65%, p = 0.006), be obese (33% vs. 21%, p = 0.05), and have a previous incision in the groin (73% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). Overall complication rate and deep (reopening of fascia, exposure of vessels) complication rate in the ECM cohort were 34% and 5%, respectively. Overall complication rate and deep complication rate in the control cohort were 20% and 8%, respectively. There were significantly more overall complications in the ECM group (34% vs. 20%, p = 0.007). In groins with a complication, ECM use resulted in significantly fewer deep complications (15%); those closed without ECM had a deep complication in 39% (p = 0.026). Infection rate was similar between groups (non-ECM 14%, ECM 19%, p = 0.27).
CONCLUSION:
Patients treated with ECM had significantly higher complication rates to those in the control group, consistent with their elevated risk of developing a complication at their surgical site. The proportion of deep complications was significantly reduced by the use of ECM powder.