Endovascular management of severe bleeding after major abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: In this study we analyzed embolization and stent-graft results. METHODS: Demographics, indications, procedures, and outcomes of patients treated with embolization or stent grafting for late postoperative bleeding after major abdominal surgery were retrospectively recorded. Outcomes were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2008, 14 consecutive patients (11 men and 3 women, mean age 64 years) were treated for hemorrhage responsible for shock in 6 patients (43%), occurring after pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=13) or subtotal gastrectomy (n=1). Mean onset occurred at 23 days postoperatively (range 7-75 days). Bleeding site included: the stump of the gastroduodenal artery (n=10), splenic artery (n=2), common hepatic artery (n=1), and right gastric artery (n=1). Initial success was obtained in 13 patients (93%); the only failure of stent-graft deployment required re-laparotomy. Treatment included embolization in 8 patients and stent grafting in 5 patients. In the embolization group, 5 complications (62%) occurred: 4 rebleeding and 1 gastric perforation, compared with no early complications in the stent-graft group. One patient died in each group. The mean follow-up was 25 months (range 6-57 months). CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting seems to provide definitive hemostasis and fewer complications compared with embolization.

Emergency stent graft implantation for ruptured visceral artery pseudoaneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Literature series that include visceral artery pseudoaneurysms rarely separate them from true aneurysms, although they address different issues. Guidelines for optimal management of these lesions are lacking. We report our experience of stent graft treatment of these lesions with midterm results. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a visceral pseudoaneurysm who were treated with a stent graft in our institution. Patient history, clinical characteristics, procedure details, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: From March 2004 to June 2009, 10 consecutive patients (9 men), who were a mean age of 59 years, were treated for symptomatic visceral artery pseudoaneurysm, with hemorrhagic shock in 8 patients (80%), after pancreaticoduodenectomy in 8, gastrectomy in 1, and abdominal trauma in 1. A mean of 24 days (range, 7-60 days) passed between the initial surgery or trauma and pseudoaneurysm diagnosis. Septic complications were associated in six patients (60%). The pseudoaneurysm was in the hepatic artery in 8 patients, the splenic artery in 1, and the superior mesenteric artery in 1. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 80% of patients. Two failures of catheterization were followed by redo surgery and death (20%). No patients died postoperatively, and no complications among the patients who were treated successfully. Mean follow-up was 37 months (range, 10-63 months). All stent grafts were patent, with no signs of infection. Two patients died secondary to neoplasm. No rebleeding or recurrent aneurysms were noted. CONCLUSION: Stent graft exclusion of visceral artery pseudoaneurysm seems to be a valid therapeutic approach regardless of the patient's septic or hemodynamic status.

Results of non-operative therapy for delayed hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a life-threatening complication, which occurs in 4% to 16% of cases, even in experienced centers. Many diagnostic and therapeutic options exist but no one has yet established management guidelines. This study aimed to determine the role of conservative management in delayed hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to August 2008, 87 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our center. We reviewed, retrospectively, the medical charts of all patients who had experienced postoperative hemorrhage. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Early hemorrhage occurred in one patient, who underwent successful reoperation. Nine patients presented with delayed hemorrhage (10.3%), including three with sentinel bleeding. Mean onset was 20 days post-surgery. We used the same initial management for each patient: all had an urgent contrast computed tomography scan. In every case, the bleeding site was arterial. Conservative treatment (embolization or covered stent) was successful in every case. We reoperated on two patients for gastrointestinal perforation, at 9 days and 2 months after embolization, respectively. We transferred seven patients to an intensive care unit, with an average stay of 8 days. Mean hospital stay was 43 days (33-60). All patients survived. CONCLUSION: Conservative management, combining endovascular procedures and aggressive resuscitation, is appropriate for most cases of delayed hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.