Transcatheter arterial embolization for postoperative arterial complications after pelvic or hip surgery

We aimed to study the technical and clinical outcome of urgent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for postoperative arterial complications after pelvic or hip surgery, and to accumulate additional experience about the role of embolization for these injuries.

Patients who received TAE procedure for arterial complications after pelvic or hip surgery between September 1st, 2002 and December 1st, 2014 were screened on medical records and included in the analysis. Angiographic findings included active contrast agent extravasation, pseudoaneurysm formation, arteriovenous fistula, and other suspicious signs such as sighting of coarse margin or distortion of vessels. Embolic agents consisted of coils, gelatin sponge, and polyvinyl alcohol. Technical success was defined as complete occlusion of targeted artery through angiography, and clinical success as sustained resolution of symptoms.

A total of 22 patients (15 males, 19-76 years old) were enrolled. Prior to TAE, 12 patients developed hemorrhagic shock and the remaining 10 patients had hemorrhage-related pain, hematoma, or anemia. Contrast agent extravasation occurred in 12 cases, pseudoaneurysm formation in 5 cases, and other suspicious signs in 5 cases. Injury occurred in the internal iliac artery stem in 6 cases, inferior gluteal artery in 6 cases and superior gluteal artery in 6 cases. Multiple vascular lesions appeared in 5 cases. After TAE, technical success occurred in 22 patients and clinical success in 21 patients (95.5%). A 36-year-old woman died of irreversible multiple organ failure; no other severe procedure-related complications were recorded.

TAE is safe and effective for postoperative arterial complications after pelvic or hip surgery.