Thromboembolic and bleeding complications following primary total knee arthroplasty : a Danish nationwide cohort study.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of thromboprophylactic treatments in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Using nationwide medical registries, we identified patients with a primary TKA performed in Denmark between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 who received thromboprophylactic treatment. We examined the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding, and all-cause mortality following surgery. We used a Cox regression model to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome, pairwise comparing treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran with rivaroxaban as the reference. The HRs were both computed using a multivariable and a propensity score matched analysis. RESULTS: We identified 27,736 primary TKA patients who received thromboprophylactic treatment (rivaroxaban (n = 18,846); dalteparin (n = 5,767); dabigatran (n = 1,443); tinzaparin (n = 1,372); and enoxaparin (n = 308)). In the adjusted multivariable analysis and compared with rivaroxaban, treatment with dalteparin (HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.92)) or dabigatran (HR 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.70)) was associated with a decreased risk of VTE. No statistically significant differences were observed for major bleeding or all-cause mortality. The propensity score matched analysis yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran was associated with a decreased 90-day risk of VTE following primary TKA surgery compared with treatment with rivaroxaban. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(10):1571-1577.

The feasibility of multiple-tract mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy as an overnight surgery for the treatment of complex kidney stones.

To demonstrate the feasibility of applying multiple-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as an overnight surgery for treatment of complex kidney stones. We reviewed a prospectively collected database of all multiple-tract PCNL planned as overnight surgery performed by a single surgeon since 2018. A clinical pathway including the removal of nephrostomy tube and discharge on the morning after surgery was carried out. A definition for tube removal was outlined. Ability to adhere to the pathway and achieving the described parameters and whether any resulting complications occurred were determined. A total of 136 consecutive patients were enrolled with mean stone burden of 960.5 mm2 and 5.1 cm. Mean operative time was 71.7 ± 30.7 min. The average hemoglobin drop was 17.6 ± 12.2 g/L, and the incidence of drop > 25 g/L was 21.9%. Overall, 125 patients (91.9%) but 11 patients were discharge on postoperative day 1. One case required readmission. Among the 11 patients, 7 patients (5.1%) underwent a delayed tube removal (≥ 2 days) and 4 patients underwent complications after next-day nephrostomy tube removal, including renal colic (2 cases), hydrothorax (1 case), and fever (1 case). Postoperative fever or severe hematuria was the major reason for delayed nephrostomy tube removal. The total complication rate was 8.8% (n = 12). Multiple-tract PCNL as an overnight surgery can be safely performed by experienced surgeons in most patients. An early nephrostomy tube removal could be achieved in nearly 95% patients.

Effects of platelet-rich plasmapheresis during cardiovascular surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effects of platelet-rich plasmapheresis (PRP) on the amount of postoperative blood loss and the requirements for allogeneic fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: A literature search of 7 online databases was conducted. Randomized control trials (RCT) comparing intraoperative PRP or appropriate control groups were considered suitable for this current study. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs enrolling a total of 1002 patients, including 501 patients who received PRP and 501 control patients. Meta-analysis of the data from these trials showed that PRP reduced the total volume of postoperative blood loss (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.18 to -0.31; P < 0.05), reduced postoperative fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion (SMD, -0.38; 95%CI, -0.69 to -0.08; P < 0.05), reduced postoperative RBCs transfusion (SMD, -0.44; 95%CI, -0.77 to -0.10; P < 0.05), and reduced the proportion of patients receiving postoperative allogeneic RBC transfusions (relative risk [RR], 0.44; 95%CI, 0.21-0.91, P < 0.05) during cardiovascular surgery. CONCLUSION: Conducting PRP before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and transfusing autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) after reversal of heparin could reduce postoperative blood loss, the requirements for blood products transfusion during cardiovascular surgery. A higher mean platelet count in aPRP may improve the final outcome. However, there was a high degree of undetermined heterogeneity among the analyzed trials, and larger and more precise RCTs are needed to confirm these conclusions.

A nomogram predicting re-operation due to secondary hemorrhage after monopolar transurethral resection of prostate.

We aim to develop a nomogram to predict re-operation due to secondary hemorrhage after Monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP). We identified patients undergoing M-TURP at Peking University First Hospital from 2000 to 2013. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were developed to predict the occurrence re-operation due to secondary hemorrhage. The discriminatory ability of the nomogram was tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and internal validation was performed via bootstrap resampling. Of the 1901 patients who underwent M-TURP during the study period, 9.1% (173 patients) experienced hemorrhage after M-TURP, and they had a 22.0% re-operation rate (38 patients). Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related complications (odds ratio, 0.386; 95% CI, 0.177-0.841), percent of resected prostate (OR, 0.156; 95% CI, 0.023-1.060) and suprapubic cystostomy (OR, 0.298; 95% CI, 0.101-0.881) were independently associated with re-operation. The nomogram accurately predicted re-operation (area under the ROC curve 0.718). The negative predictive value was 88.0%, while the positive predictive value was 47.9%. Re-operation due to secondary hemorrhage after M-TURP was associated with no BPH-related complications, lower percent of resected prostate and no suprapubic cystostomy and was accurately predicted with using the nomogram.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage and vision loss after regional ocular anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of retinal vascular occlusion and associated subconjunctival hemorrhage in needle optic nerve injury during local bulbar anesthesia. METHODS: Surgical records of these two subjects who presented with acute vision loss after cataract extraction were studied, and systemic workup and ocular imaging were carried out to establish the cause. RESULTS: Computerized tomography showed evidence of optic nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival hemorrhage could be an associated clinical finding in hypodermic needle injury-related retinal vascular occlusion during ocular anesthesia.

Postoperative care after tonsillectomy: what's the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature regarding postoperative management after tonsillectomy in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Controversy remains regarding the ideal medication regimen to manage pain after tonsillectomy. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are routinely used, although concerns of more severe postoperative hemorrhage with ibuprofen remain. Narcotics are prescribed commonly, but with extreme caution in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although not always utilized by the authors, additional adjunctive medications such as perioperative dexamethasone, ketamine, and local infiltration of lidocaine into tonsillar pillars may decrease postoperative pain. Systematic reviews have shown that dexamethasone does not increase risk of posttonsillectomy bleeding. SUMMARY: Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed on children and may have significant morbidity from postoperative pain and bleeding. Managing pain remains challenging and the optimal treatment regimen has not been definitively identified. Many medications and alternative therapies have been studied and suggest possible benefit.

No impact of fish oil supplements on bleeding risk: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Fish oil supplementation may inhibit platelet aggregation and can potentially increase the risk of bleeding. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the effect of fish oil supplements on haemostasis and bleeding risk, and to provide recommendations on whether it is necessary to discontinue fish oil supplementation prior to surgery. METHODS: Studies were identified through PubMed and Embase searches and by reviewing the reference lists of the included papers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Included in the review were publications including a minimum of 20 healthy subjects and studies on patients who were undergoing surgery and who had fish oil exposure. RESULTS: In total, 52 publications were included; 32 publications on healthy subjects and 20 publications on patients undergoing surgery. The majority of the included studies were randomised controlled trials or included a control group. Overall, fish oil supplements reduced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. Fish oil exposure in surgical patients did not increase bleeding or blood transfusions either during or after surgery. CONCLUSION: Fish oil supplements reduced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. This biochemical effect was not reflected in increased bleeding risk during or after surgery evaluated in randomised controlled trials. Consequently, this systematic review does not support the need for discontinuation of fish oil supplements prior to surgery or other invasive procedures.

Hawthorn Herb Increases the Risk of Bleeding after Cardiac Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach.

OBJECTIVES: Hawthorn extract consumption is becoming more widespread among the Jordanian population with cardiovascular disorders. We conducted this prospective observational longitudinal study to determine the impact of hawthorn extract on bleeding risk in patients who undergo cardiac surgery. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on 116 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the period between June 2014 and May 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (patients recently consumed hawthorn extract) and Group II (patients never consumed hawthorn extract). Endpoint measures included the rates of reopening to control bleeding, early mortality, duration of intensive care unit stay, total in-hospital stay period, and duration and amount of chest tube drainage. RESULTS: Hawthorn patients had a significantly higher rate of postoperative bleeding necessitating take back to the operating room compared to the control group (10% versus 1%; P = .03) respectively. The overall mortality rate for group I and II was 4% and 0% respectively; P = .17. Chest tubes were kept in for longer times in group I compared to group II (54 ± 14.6 versus 49 ± 14.7 hours respectively; P = .01). Group I stayed longer in the intensive care unit compared to group II (24 versus 22 hours respectively; P = .01). The total in-hospital stay period was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Hawthorn extract consumption does increase the potential for bleeding and the amount of chest tube output after cardiac surgery.

Cell salvage during coronary artery bypass surgery and allogenic blood exposure.

AIM: Our primary aim was to assess the impact of intraoperative cell saver usage on patient exposure to allogenic blood transfusion during elective coronary artery bypass. The secondary endpoint was the impact of cell savage on the units of blood and blood products transfused perioperatively. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study with a historical cohort as a control group was performed in a single tertiary care center. One hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing primary on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were included. Intraoperative cell salvage was performed in 60 patients (study group) but not in the control group (n = 64). Transfusion data, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were evaluated in the cell saver and control groups. RESULTS: The number of patients exposed to allogenic red blood cell transfusion was significantly less in the study group (55% vs. 82.8%; p = 0.001) and the units per patient was also less in the study group (1.10 ± 1.7 vs. 2.25 ± 2.289 units; p = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in terms of units of purified plasma fraction, platelets, or cryoprecipitate transfused. Intensive care unit stay, total hospital stay, number of reexplorations, complications, readmissions, and 28-day mortality were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative cell salvage with a cell saver in patients undergoing primary elective coronary artery bypass decreases the proportion of patients exposed to allogenic red cell transfusions and the number of units of red blood cells transfused.

Association of spontaneous bleeding and myocardial infarction with long-term mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Platelet inhibition after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) but increases the risk of bleeding. MIs and bleeds during the index hospitalization for PCI are known to negatively affect long-term outcomes. The impact of spontaneous bleeding occurring after discharge on long-term mortality is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine, in a real-world cohort, the association between spontaneous major bleeding or MI after PCI and long-term mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥30 years of age who underwent a PCI between 1996 and 2008 in an integrated healthcare delivery system. We used extended Cox regression to examine the associations of spontaneous bleeding and MI with all-cause mortality, after adjustment for time-updated demographics, comorbidities, periprocedural events, and longitudinal medication exposure. RESULTS: Among 32,906 patients who had a PCI and survived the index hospitalization, 530 had bleeds and 991 had MIs between 7 and 365 days post-discharge. There were 4,048 deaths over a mean follow-up of 4.42 years. The crude annual death rate after a spontaneous bleed (9.5%) or MI (7.6%) was higher than among patients who experienced neither event (2.6%). Bleeding was associated with an increased rate of death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30 to 2.00), similar to that after an MI (HR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.62 to 2.25). The association of bleeding with death remained significant after additional adjustment for the longitudinal use of antiplatelet agents. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous bleeding after a PCI was independently associated with higher long-term mortality, and conveyed a risk comparable to that of an MI during follow-up. This tradeoff between efficacy and safety bolsters the argument for personalizing antiplatelet therapy after PCI on the basis of the patient's long-term risk of both thrombotic and bleeding events.

Management of major bleeding complications and emergency surgery in patients on long-term treatment with direct oral anticoagulants, thrombin or factor-Xa inhibitors: proposals of the working group on perioperative haemostasis (GIHP) - March 2013.

Direct new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) - inhibitors of thrombin or factor Xa - are intended to be used largely in the treatment of venous thromboembolic disease or the prevention of systematic embolism in atrial fibrillation, instead of vitamin K antagonists. Like any anticoagulant treatment, they are associated with spontaneous or provoked haemorrhagic risk. Furthermore, a significant proportion of treated patients are likely to be exposed to emergency surgery or invasive procedures. Given the absence of a specific antidote, the action to be taken in these situations must be defined. The lack of data means that it is only possible to issue proposals rather than recommendations, which will evolve according to accumulated experience. The proposals presented here apply to dabigatran (Pradaxa(®)) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto(®)); data for apixaban and edoxaban are still scarce. For urgent surgery with haemorrhagic risk, the drug plasma concentration should be less or equal to 30ng/mL for dabigatran and rivaroxaban should enable surgery associated with a high bleeding risk. Beyond that, if possible, the intervention should be postponed by monitoring the drug concentration. The course to follow is then defined according to the NOAC and its concentration. If the anticoagulant dosage is not immediately available, worse propositions, based on the usual tests (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time), are presented. However, these tests do not really assess drug concentration or the risk of bleeding that depends on it. In case of serious bleeding in a critical organ, the effect of anticoagulant therapy should be reduced using a non-specific procoagulant drug as a first-line approach: activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) (FEIBA(®) 30-50U/kg) or non-activated PCC (50U/kg). In addition, for any other type of severe haemorrhage, the administration of a procoagulant drug, which is potentially thrombogenic in these patients, is discussed according to the NOAC concentration and the possibilities of mechanical haemostasis.

Omega-3 and fish oil supplements do not cause increased bleeding during spinal decompression surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether preoperative use of fish oil supplements increases intraoperative blood loss and postoperative bleeding complications during lumbar decompression surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) are widely used as over-the-counter supplements because of well-established cardioprotective and antiplatelet effects. Concern over bleeding associated with changes in platelet function have led to prohibiting these supplements before surgery although there are no clinical data available in the spinal surgery literature to guide such recommendations. METHODS: Ninety-five consecutive patients who underwent posterior-only lumbar decompression by a single surgeon were included. Patients who had taken n-3FA within 14 days of surgery were compared with a control group with respect to demographics, preoperative use of other anticoagulants, surgical time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications including reoperation for epidural hematoma and wound infection. Power analysis suggested 11 patients taking n-3FA were necessary to reach statistical significance based on pilot data. RESULTS: Sixteen patients took n-3FA supplements, stopping an average of 2.3 days before surgery. These were no significant between-group differences in demographic parameters, use of other anticoagulants, and surgical time. Estimated blood loss was higher in the control group but the difference was not significant (154 vs. 138 mL, P=0.53). There were 2 complications related to bleeding in the control group and none in the n-3FA group. CONCLUSIONS: We found no increase in intraoperative blood loss or postoperative bleeding complications associated with preoperative use of n-3FA supplements up to an average of 2.3 days before surgery. Although further studies are necessary before this finding can be generalized to other types of spinal surgery, our study corroborates findings from investigations in other surgical specialties that suggest preoperative n-3FA is not associated with increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding.

Chemoprophylaxis without intra-articular wound drainage can replace autotransfusion in primary TKA.

We compared outcomes in 2 groups undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with different blood-saving strategies (ie, chemoprophylaxis vs reinfusion). We hypothesized that chemoprophylaxis would lead to reduced blood loss and fewer transfusions, with no increase in associated complications. Group A was a prospective series of 91 consecutive cemented TKAs undertaken with chemoprophylaxis to reduce bleeding and blood allogeneic exposure. Group B consisted of 44 historical TKAs undertaken with postoperative reinfusion. With the exception of mean patient age (group A, 74.3 years; group B, 70.9 years; P=.006), there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 study groups.Mean total blood loss throughout the 7-day perioperative period was 1490 mL in group A and 1828 mL in group B. The rate of blood transfusion in group A was almost zero. In group B, 41 of 44 patients were administered blood intravenously. Despite the absence of autotransfusion, postoperative hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in group A than in group B. No major bleeding complications emerged in the immediate postoperative period in either group.Chemoprophylaxis proved superior to reinfusion at decreasing blood transfusion requirements in the routine daily setting of unilateral cemented primary TKA.

Clinical features and management of postoperative pouch bleeding after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).

AIM: The clinical features of postoperative bleeding from the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis(IPAA) vary and its management can be difficult. There is no published literature regarding pouch bleeding and its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pouch bleeding was defined as the passage of blood or clots transanally or into the ileostomy bag with or without hypotension or a drop in hemoglobin within 30 days after surgery. Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained pouch database. RESULTS: Pouch bleeding developed in 47 (1.5%) patients out of 3,194 patients undergoing IPAA since 1983. Forty-two patients had inflammatory bowel disease, four had familial adenomatous polyposis, and one had colonic inertia. Sixty-six percent of bleeding occurred within 7 days postoperatively and 59.6% required transfusion; 72.3% patients developed transanal bleeding, nine from ileostomy and two from both. After initial fluid resuscitation, five patients were observed while 28 patients had pouch endoscopy and clot evacuation followed by cauterization or epinephrine(1:100,000) enemas, 27 of these had cessation within 24 h. Epinephrine enema was used as initial treatment in the remaining 12 patients. Overall success rate of epinephrine enema was 96%. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pouch bleeding after IPAA is uncommon, and it usually requires nonsurgical intervention. Epinephrine enema appears to be successful in managing this complication.

[Postoperative urological complications of transurethral electrosurgical interventions on the prostate for adenoma].

The aim of the study was comparison of urological complications after transurethral resection and its low-invasive alternatives: vaporization, rotoresection, vaporization resection, prostatic incision. Case histories were studied of 5401 patients operated endoscopically for prostatic adenoma in 1991-2003. Standard TUR was made in 5003 patients, incision--in 112, vaporization--in 119, vaporizing resection--in 107, rotoresection--in 60 patients. Of early complications after TUR hemorrhage was the most dangerous, hemotransfusion was made in 3.9% cases. No hemorrhagic complications occurred in rotoresection, no hemotransfusions were made in vaporization and vaporizing resection, prostatic incision was complicated by hemorrhage only in 0.9% cases. By infection complications rate (0.9-7.5%), the differences were not significant. Of late complications, sclerosis of the urinary bladder cervis was most frequent (10.7-11.2%) after rotoresection and vaporizing resection, urethral stricture--after TUR (6.9%). By number of complications, incision was least invasive. Thus, basic problem after TUR is hemorrhage. Low-invasive alternative methods resolve this problem. But they have limitations. The best way out is improvement of intraoperative hemostasis during TUR.

Submucosal reconstructive hemorrhoidectomy (Parks' operation): a 20-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Submucosal reconstructive hemorrhoidectomy has never been a popular operation due to its difficulty and duration, the amount of blood loss, and the risk of incontinence. The main indication for hemorrhoidectomy according to Parks is fourth-degree hemorrhoids with prolapse of the dentate line outside the anus and with simultaneous presence of external hemorrhoids. We report our experience in the treatment of hemorrhoids using submucosal reconstructive hemorrhoidectomy according to Parks. METHODS: A total of 640 patients (381 men and 259 women) of median age 42 years (range, 18-81) were treated between 1983 and 2002; 80% of patients had fourth-degree, 19% third-degree and 1% second- degree hemorrhoids. All patients underwent rectosigmoidoscopic examination before surgery; patients over 35 years of age or with a suspected inflammatory or neoplastic disease underwent colonoscopy or barium enema. All patients underwent anorectal manometry before operation, to measure anal resting pressure, maximal squeeze and sphincter length, with the purpose of determining if an internal sphincterotomy was also necessary (in case of high anal resting tone). One-third of the patients also had an internal sphincterotomy to correct anal hypertonia. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding occurred in 19 patients (2.9%), 0.9% requiring a reintervention. Severe pain was reported by 9 patients (1.4%); fecal impaction occurred in 3 cases (0.5%) and suture disruption in 2 patients (0.3%). In 74 patients (11.6%), bladder catheterization was needed due to urinary retention. Of 550 patients who had a minimum follow-up of 3 years and were sent a postal questionnaire, 374 patients responded, with a median 7.3-year follow- up; 176 patients (32%) were lost to follow-up. Eleven patients (2.9% of 374 cases) reported pain during defecation, 6 (1.6%) developed skin tags or recurrence, 3 (0.8%) reported gas incontinence, 2 (0.5%) developed anal fistula and 1 (0.3%) had anal stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Submucosal reconstructive hemorrhoidectomy according to Parks still represents a good choice for the treatment of high-degree hemorrhoids with prolapse of the dentate line outside the anus and external circumferential hemorrhoids.

Effect of transurethral resection of the prostate on blood coagulation test results.

AIM: To evaluate results of coagulation tests and serum sodium levels during the early postoperative period in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, blood coagulation tests were performed and serum sodium levels measured in 27 patients before and at the end of transurethral resection of the prostate and 24 h later. The causes of the changes in coagulation test results were also investigated. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in the platelet counts (p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p < 0.05), and sodium (p < 0.0001) concentrations at the end of the operation. The prothrombin time was prolonged (p < 0.01). The activated partial thromboplastin time did not change. There was a statistically significant correlation between the changes in prothrombin time and fibrinogen concentration and the amount of irrigating solution used during the operation and the difference between the volume given and collected as irrigation. Coagulation test results, hemoglobin concentration, and serum sodium level returned to normal values 24 h after the operation. CONCLUSION: Our results show that there was a transient change in platelet count, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen and serum sodium concentrations during the early postoperative period which can be explained on the basis of dilution of the blood.

Embolization of type II endoleaks after aortic stent-graft implantation: technique and immediate results.

PURPOSE: We report the procedural details and immediate results of treatment of type II endoleaks after aortic stent-graft implantation. METHODS: In a consecutive series of patients who had either Vangard (n = 53) or Talent (n = 7) aortic stent-grafts implanted, type II endoleaks were confirmed by means of angiography in 18 patients, with a mean (+/- SD) age of 69 +/- 11 years; 16 patients had Vangard stent-grafts, and two patients had Talent stent-grafts. After superselective catheterization of the feeding vessel, with 3F microcatheters, and liberal injections of vasodilators, embolization was performed with either a mixture of biologic glue and Lipiodol (n = 16) or Microcoils (n = 2). RESULTS: The procedure was performed through the femoral artery in 16 patients and through the brachial artery in the remaining two patients. Overall, superselective catheterization and embolization were successfully undertaken in 17 (94.4%) of 18 patients. In the remaining patient, superselective catheterization proved impossible. This patient was treated with an injection of microparticles completed by means of embolization of biologic glue more proximally in an iliolumbar branch. During follow-up (mean, 13.3 months) after embolization, the aneurysm sac shrank in 13 (72.2%) of 18 patients. A new type II endoleak was diagnosed on helical computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in two (11.1%) of 18 patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous embolization is a safe and effective technique for treatment of type II endoleaks. However, despite these initially promising results, large long-term follow-up studies will be required to confirm its efficiency.