Balloon occlusion technique for embolization of unselectable hemorrhaging pelvic arteries in the setting of traumatic pelvic fractures

ABSTRACT

Though hemorrhaging pelvic arteries can be treated with transcatheter arterial embolization, difficulty in selection of injured arteries can lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to embolization of untargeted vasculature and prolonged time to hemostasis, resulting in unnecessary ischemic injury and prolonged hemorrhage. This report describes a balloon occlusion technique utilized in the setting of an unselectable hemorrhaging obturator artery.

KEYWORDS:

• Balloon occlusion
• hemorrhage
• pelvic fracture
• transcatheter arterial embolization