[Hemorrhagic vascular complications of pelvic fractures . The role of embolization. 9 cases]. / Complications vasculaires hémorragiques des fractures du bassin. Place de l'embolisation. Neuf observations.

ABSTRACT

Emergency haemostatic embolization of the branches of the hypogastric artery was performed within 24 hours in 9 patients with fracture of the pelvis and major progressive retroperitoneal haematoma. Eight to 48 units of blood had been transfused. The patient in the worst condition (48 units of blood) died of respiratory failure and myocardial incompetence 2 hours after embolization. In the remaining 8 patients, embolization was effective without any immediate or delayed complication of the angiographic procedure. The usefulness of emergency angiographic exploration and the possible applications of endovascular haemostasis are discussed.