Research
Intraoperative angioembolization in the management of pelvic-fracture related hemodynamic instability
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* Corresponding author: Robert A Cherry rcherry@hmc.psu.edu
1 University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation 1685 Highland Avenue Madison, WI 53705 (608) 263-9456, USA
2 Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Radiology 500 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033, USA
3 University Orthopaedic Associates, LLC 4810 Belmar Boulevard, Suite 102 Wall, NJ 07753, USA
4 Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation 500 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Journal of Trauma Management & Outcomes 2011, 5:6 doi:10.1186/1752-2897-5-6
Published: 13 May 2011Abstract
Background
This case series report discusses patients presenting with hemorrhage and hemodymanic compromise due to severe pelvic fractures and undergoing intraoperative angioembolization (IAE) with other resuscitative procedures.
Methods
We used portable digital subtraction fluoroscopy units for IAE in patients with severe pelvic hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability (5/03-4/09). Data was collected on demographics, injury severity, resource utilization, and outcomes at our Level 1 trauma center.
Results
There were 6,538 adult admissions with 912 having pelvic fractures and 65 of these undergoing pelvic angioembolization. Twelve hemodynamically compromised patients (10 males, 2 females) had intraoperative pelvic angiography (age: 22-79 years; mean 51.3 ± 17.4). Injury severity score (ISS) was 37.5 ± 8.4 (22-50). Mean emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) was 57.4 min ± 47.9 with 10 patients transported directly to the OR and 2 to the SICU prior to OR. Ten of 12 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy followed by angioembolization. Mortality was 50%. Among the 6 survivors (ISS 22 - 50), all had a pre-op CT scan, five had an initial base deficit <13, and four were transfused ≤ 6 units pre-incision/pre-procedure. Four of the 6 survivors had unilateral embolization. In contrast, all 6 non-survivors (ISS 29-41) required massive transfusion prior to OR (>6 units PRBCs) with 4 having a based deficit >13. Three of these patients bypassed CT and five underwent bilateral internal iliac embolization (BIIE).
Conclusions
IAE for severe pelvic hemorrhage can be successfully performed concurrently with exploratory laparotomy, pelvic packing or other resuscitative procedures. Patients most likely to benefit have a base deficit <13, and do not require massive transfusion prior to IAE or suffer from a vertically unstable pelvis fracture.