Abdominal abscess: late complication after gastroepiploic coronary artery bypass grafting

The gastroepiploic artery is widely used an arterial conduit during coronar y artery revascularisation surgery. We report an unusual complication of a 56-year-old man who developed a late intra-abdominal abscess extending into the mediastinum adjacent to the right ventricle more than 2 years after su rgery. This was managed with percutaneous drainage and the patient made a f ull recovery. The case illustrates the potential problems associated with h arvesting of this artery and the need for careful haemostasis. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.