A technique for controlling injuries of the iliac vein in the patient with trauma

This has become our preferred way to control deep pelvic hypogastric vein injuries and we have found it to be particularly useful in the patient with multiple nonvascular injuries. It is rapid, entails little ongoing blood and allows for direct exposure of the injury. It minimizes the chances of creating additional iatrogenic injuries from blind clamping or dissection. Thus, this technique should not be used routinely but should be reserved for situations when attempts to obtain proximal and distal control are unsuccessful.