Spontaneous rupture of a Dacron prosthesis

This case report concerns a spontaneous rupture of a Dacron prosthesis 19 years after its insertion. The rupture occurRed in the mid-graft portion, remote from the anastomoses and was not associated with proved infection. It was the result of an intrinsic deterioration of the graft textile structure. The patient recovered after insertion of a new Dacron graft. The authors discuss the incidence of graft degeneration and the causative factors. Lesions on the frame of the graft could be due to a variety of factors such as intrinsic Dacron graft factors, manufacturing, inappropriate utilization, physical, enzymatic or immunological factors.