ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of hypogastric artery ligation to treat massive hemorrhage in pelvic fractures with abdominal organ injuries. Methods The pelvic fractures of 16 patients were classified as Tile B type in 10 cases and C type in 6. Among them there were 6 open fractures and 20 sites of abdominal visceral injuries. The capacity of retroperitoneal hematoma, which was ruptured in 6 cases, ranged from 800 ～2 500ml with 1 400ml on average. The bleeding volume in the survivals was 1 500～5 800ml with 2 600ml on average. Ligation of bilateral hypogastric artery was carried out in all patients with intra abdominal injuries within 6h. Of them, skeletal traction was used in 7 cases while pelvic external fixation in 5 cases. Results One death occured dut to consumptive coagulopathy with hematorrhea. Of the 15 survivals, bleeding was controlled in 8 cases, decreased in 5 and uncontrolled in 2. The effective rate was 81.3%(13/16) and the survival rate 93.8%(15/16). Conclusion When emergency celiotomy is performed for abdominal injuries, a rational application of hypogastric artery ligation can play a positive role in control of pelvic hematorrhea.