Bleeding following endoscopic sphincterotomy: angiographic management by transcatheter embolization

Transcatheter embolization is a well-established and effective method for the control of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract and often represents the preferred alternative to more invasive surgical management. The applications of this technique for the management of bleeding following endoscopic sphincterotomy have not been reported previously. Of five patients referred for arteriography with life-threatening postsphincterotomy bleeding, active bleeding from branches of the gastroduodenal artery was demonstrated in four. Embolization of this vessel with Gelfoam controlled the bleeding in all three patients in whom it was attempted. Arterial stenosis and spasm precluded such treatment in one patient. The fifth patient was not bleeding at the time of arteriography. There were no complications from these procedures. Our experience shows that postsphincterotomy bleeding can be safely and effectively controlled by transcatheter embolization, thereby avoiding surgery which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in this setting.