Role of angio-embolisation in trauma--review

Exsanguination from solid organs and from the venous system is one of the commonest causes of mortality in trauma. This review focuses on the role of angioembolisation in trauma.

A review of the literature was undertaken in PubMed and Embase databases using the key words 'angioembolisation', 'splenic injuries', liver injuries 'pelvic injuries' and 'trauma'.

When angioembolisation (AE) is successful, patients with liver and splenic injuries can be managed nonoperatively. AE can also be used as an adjunct to damage control surgery in polytrauma patients with pelvic fractures. Patients with vertebral artery injuries in the neck leading to hypotension are also good candidates for AE.

AE is very useful in managing patients with isolated spleen and liver injuries non-operatively. It can be used alone or as an adjunct to damage-control surgery in complex polytraumas and may decrease the blood loss in pelvic injuries. Whenever a trauma patient with splenic injury is treated non-operatively, subsequent splenic artery pseudoaneurysm should not be forgotten and the patient should be followed up with caution.