[Embolization of the lumbar artery for pelvic fracture]

Bleeding from the lumbar artery could be a major source of hemorrhage in a patient with massive blood loss associated with pelvic fracture. Embolization of injured lumbar artery should be attempted since hemorrhaging from the lumbar artery could be a cause of potentially life-threatening retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Selective lumbar arteriography is often helpful to diagnose bleeding from a lumbar artery, which is occasionally overlooked in pelvic aortography. We have not experienced any complications from using gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) cubes, cut into 1-2 mm pieces, for embolization of the bleeding artery.