Massive intraabdominal
hemorrhage sometimes requires urgent
hemostatic surgical intervention. In such cases, its rapid stabilization is crucial to reestablish a general hemodynamic status. We used an aortic occlusion balloon
catheter in patients with massive intraabdominal
hemorrhage occurring after hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. An 8-French balloon
catheter was percutaneously inserted into the aorta from the femoral artery, and the balloon was placed just above the celiac artery. Fifteen minutes inflation and 5 minutes deflation were alternated during surgery until the
bleeding was surgically controlled. An aortic occlusion balloon
catheter was inserted on 13 occasions in 10 patients undergoing
laparotomy for hemostasis of massive
hemorrhage. The aorta was successfully occluded on 12 occasions in nine patients. Both systolic pressure and heart rate were normalized during aortic occlusion, and the operative field became clearly visible after adequate suction of leaked blood.
Bleeding sites were then easily found and controlled.
Hemorrhage was successfully controlled in 7 of 10 patients (70%), and they were discharged in good condition. The aortic occlusion balloon
catheter technique was effective for easily controlling massive intraabdominal
bleeding by
hemostatic procedure after hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.