Conservative endovascular management for intractable delayed hemorrhage after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal...

Delayed hemorrhage from the vaginal stump is a rare complication following hysterectomy. Most cases can be managed by vaginal packing with or without vaginal vault suturing. However, where such initial management fails, the condition is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. We report two cases successfully managed with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). First, a 38-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal pain 12 days after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) for a uterine myoma. Oral antibiotics were administered for pelvic infection. Two days later, she experienced increased bleeding. After failing to achieve hemostasis with vaginal vault suturing, computed tomographic angiography showed extravasation from a pseudoaneurysm in the peripheral branch of the left uterine artery. Hemostasis was achieved with TAE. Second, a 40-year-old woman presented with fever and increased abdominal pain 6 days after LAVH for severe dysplasia of the uterine cervix. Intravenous antibiotics were administered for pelvic infection. Twenty-one days after LAVH, she experienced increased bleeding. Computed tomographic angiography showed extravasation from a peripheral thin branch of the right uterine artery. Temporary hemostasis was achieved with vaginal vault suturing; however, bleeding recommenced 12 h later. Hemostasis was achieved with TAE. We conclude that endovascular management is a feasible option for intractable delayed hemorrhage after hysterectomy, when vaginal vault suturing fails to achieve hemostasis.