[Results of percutaneous transluminal embolization therapy in severe hemorrhages in the pelvis]

Percutaneous transluminal embolisation technique (PTE) is used to an increasing extent in preference to surgical operations for treatment of severe haemorrhages of surgical, gynaecological, and urological tumours of the pelvic region which are difficult to control. Based on a study of 35 patients (19 female and 16 male) with an average of 71 (32-87) years the indication of embolisation, the technique, the choice of material for embolisation, the rate of success, and the complications of this therapeutic method are discussed. In 34 of the 35 patients bleeding stopped after embolisation therapy. Only in one patient major side effects were seen. Our own experience has shown that an exact pretherapeutic angiogram of the pelvic vessels with selective or subselective catheterisation of tumour feeders is necessary for an effective embolisation.