Endovascular Treatment in the Trauma Patients with Vascular Injury

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The role of vascular and interventional radiology in trauma patients is evolving. Endovascular treatments are helpful in treating vascular injuries in trauma patients. In some situations, endovascular treatments are as effective or more effective than surgery, but less invasive. We performed this study to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatments in the trauma patients with vascular injury. METHOD: Between September 2000 and September 2003, a total of 10 consecutive trauma patients with vascular injury who received endovascular treatments were included in this study. RESULT: Of the 10 patients, the most common injured arteries were the iliac arteries (5 patients), and the most common associated injuries were pelvic (8 patients) and long bone (6 patients) fractures. Transarterial embolization was performed in 9 patients, and stent-graft placement in 1. Clinical success was achieved in all 10 patients. After endovascular treatments, 3 patients with fluid collections were treated with ultrasound-guided, percutaneous drainage. Two of 10 patients died of complications other than hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: This initial experience suggests that endovascular treatment for trauma patients with vascular injury is safe and effective, and that it can also reduce the unnecessary laparotomies in these difficult cases.