Indications for exploring the retroperitoneal space

The retroperitoneal space is an area that deserves consideration in patients with serious bleeding problems. This area should be explored in all patients with a history of previous reconstructive vascular surgery of the abdominal aorta and iliac vessels and who subsequently present with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. It should also be considered for exploration in patients presenting with serious bleeding problems when the bleeding site cannot be identified and the area in which blood is accumulating cannot be detected. We present three cases in which early adequate exploration of the retroperitoneal space would have been beneficial to the patients.