Rectus “wrap around” flap for salvage of an infected ascending aortic graft

An application of the rectus abdominis muscle flap to salvage an infected prosthetic graft of the ascending thoracic aorta is presented. The length of this flap along with its width and thickness allows it to be wrapped around prosthetic grafts of the ascending aorta in a spiral fashion. This rectus muscle wrap around flap method is straightforward involving the use of one muscle rather than multiple muscles. The abdominal cavity is not opened as with the use of omentum. The procedure can be accomplished in a short time which is important in the critically ill patient.