Survival following infusion of Pitressin into the superior mesenteric artery to control bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients.

Morbidity and mortality data from patients with bleeding esophagogastric varices treated with portosystemic shunts relate to the clinical status of the patient and to control of hemorrhage both in the immediate postoperative period as well as later. To obtain comparable data following selective infusion of pitressin into the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), records of 23 consecutive patients with cirrhosis, diagnosed by endoscopy as bleeding from varices and treated with SMA pitressin infusions, were reviewed. Twenty-four infusions were performed and hemorrhage was controlled in 12. Fourteen of the 23 patients subsequently underwent portosystemic shunts. Pitressin infusion controlled hemorrhage preoperatively in seven of these, and five survived one year or longer. The remaining seven, in whom bleeding was not controlled by pitressin, died postoperatively. One of the nine patients not undergoing a portosystemic shunt survived more than eight weeks after pitressin infusion. Vascular complications occurred in seven of 17 who died. These complications and the delay between institution of pitressin and operative therapy to control variceal hemorrhage appears to be a factor in the high mortality rate. Portosystemic shunt remains the best therapy for uncontrolled hemorrhage and to prevent recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices.     

Mesenteric arterial infusions of vasopressin for hemorrhage from colonic diverticulosis

Twenty-four patients with massive rectal hemorrhage and known or subsequently proved colonic diverticular disease had the bleeding site localized by mesenteric angiography and received intra-arterial infusion of vasopressin to arrest the bleeding. In twenty-two patients the bleeding was controlled with the vasopressin infusion whereas in the remaining two, hemorrhage did not stop and surgery was performed.Of the twenty-two patients in whom bleeding was arrested by vasopressin infusion, twelve received no further surgical therapy, five had elective prophylactic surgical resection after a period of hemostasis, and the remaining five underwent segmental resection for bleeding that recurred after cessation of the infusion.Of the twelve patients who were not operated on, three had rebleeding two, four, and twelve months after vasopressin infusion and two of these three patients required surgery. The remaining nine have had no recurrent bleeding for periods ranging from seven to thirty-four months. Of ten patients who had segmental resection after precise localization of the bleeding site and initial control with vasopressin, no one has had recurrent hemorrhage for periods ranging from two to eighteen months.     

Esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage: its treatment by percutaneous transephatic coronary vein occlusion.

The angiographic technique percutaneous transhepatic coronary vein occlusion was used to treat esophagogastric variceal bleeding in 38 patients. There were two categories of patients: those actively bleeding who had not been controlled by continuous vasopressin infusion and/or Blakemore tube tamponade, and those with portal hypertension who were not actively bleeding at the time of transhepatic portal venography but who were at high risk for recurrent variceal hemorrhage. Coronary vein occlusion was achieved in 33 patients by (1) metal clip and cotton devices(one); (2) balloon catheter occlusion (two); (3) heat-treated autogenous clot and powdered absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) (13); and (4) Gelfoam strips soaked in sodium tetradecyl sulfate (17). Percutaneous coronary vein occlusion was effective in controlling 81% of the patients with actively bleeding varices. In patients who were not actively bleeding, percutaneous transhepatic coronary vein occlusion seemed to afford good protection for recurrent variceal hemorrhage.     

Management of delayed visceral arterial bleeding after pancreatic head resection

Despite low mortality, postoperative complications are still relatively frequent after pancreatic head resection. The occurrence of delayed visceral arterial bleeding from erosions or pseudoaneurysms of branches of the celiac trunk or from the stump of the gastroduodenal artery is a rare but life-threatening complication and is probably underreported in the literature. During a 10-year period, we diagnosed and treated 12 patients (three referred from other hospitals) with severe visceral arterial bleeding, presenting 7 to 85 days after pancreatic head resection. Clinical presentation was gastrointestinal bleeding (seven patients) or abdominal bleeding (five patients). The bleeding source was identified by angiography in 10 of the 12 cases. Definitive bleeding control was achieved by angiography in six of the 12 patients (stent 2, coiling 4), or by surgery in five patients. None of the six patients with successful angiographic intervention required further surgery for bleeding control. One patient died due to hemorrhage before bleeding was controlled. Median transfusion requirement was 12.5 (range 3–37) units. Of five patients with interventional or surgical occlusion of the common hepatic artery, three developed hepatic abscesses and two had complications of the hepaticojejunostomy. One of those five patients died four months after definitive bleeding control because of recurrent hepatic abscesses. All other patients eventually recovered completely. We conclude that delayed arterial bleeding from visceral arteries is a rare but life-threatening complication after pancreatic head resection. Angiographic stenting with preservation of hepatic blood flow, if technically possible, represents the best treatment option. Presented at the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Chicago, Illinois, May 14–18, 2005 (poster presentation).     

介入治疗胰十二指肠切除术后晚期出血

目的观察介入治疗胰十二指肠切除术后晚期出血的效果。方法回顾性分析50例胰十二指肠切除术后晚期出血患者,其中42例接受血管造影检查,之后28例接受单纯介入治疗、14例经介入治疗后转外科手术;8例直接接受外科手术探查。观察血管造影表现,记录介入治疗方案,分析止血效果。结果 50例总体止血成功率66.00%(33/50),死亡率34.00%(17/50);单纯介入治疗止血成功率82.14%(23/28),死亡率17.86%(5/28)。42例血管造影中,26例可见阳性征象,其中假性动脉瘤[46.15%(12/26)]最常见,肝固有/肝总动脉[53.85%(14/26)]最常受累;其中24例主要以弹簧圈栓塞,包括8例单纯弹簧圈、12例采用弹簧圈联合明胶海绵颗粒及4例以弹簧圈联合PVA颗粒进行栓塞;2例于肝动脉植入覆膜支架。结论介入治疗对胰十二指肠切除术后晚期出血止血效果较好。     

Giant intracranial aneurysm. Elective endovascular treatment using metallic coils]

The authors present nine cases of giant aneurysm treated endovascularly by obliteration of the aneurysm lumen using platinum coils. Three aneurysms were located on the anterior circulation and six on the vertebrobasilar system. Presenting symptoms were mass effect in five cases and subarachnoid hemorrhage in four. Total occlusion of the aneurysms was achieved in four patients and partial occlusion in five. On follow-up (15 months), there was one repermeation and one neo-aneurysm. Both of these cases were retreated with placement of additional coils. All patients who presented with a mass effect had improvement of their symptoms (two after transient aggravation). Two patients died: one partially treated from hemorrhage, and the other from M.C.A. infarct after surgical clipping of the aneurysm. One technical complication included a lost coil which did not result in any angiographic or clinical change. One year follow-up angiographies show a permanent stable occlusion induced by coils. This technique should be considered as an option when treating giant non surgical aneurysm.     

Bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcers: endoscopic therapy versus surgery.

From a retrospective review of 156 patients with actively bleeding peptic ulcers, 61 patients had gastric ulcers and 95 patients had duodenal ulcers. Patients presented with hematemesis or melena or a combination of the two. Forty patients with gastric ulcers and 53 patients with duodenal ulcers were in shock. Twenty-five patients with gastric ulcers underwent surgery. Bleeding was controlled in all patients, but in the postoperative period five patients died of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism or septic multisystem organ failure. Of 36 patients who underwent endoscopic epinephrine sclerosis of the bleeding gastric ulcer, hemorrhage was controlled in 34. Two patients required reoperation for bleeding after surgery; both survived. Fifty patients with duodenal ulcers had surgery. Bleeding was controlled in all patients, but in the postoperative period 10 died of myocardial infarction and multisystem organ failure. Of 45 patients who underwent endoscopic sclerosis, bleeding was controlled in 40. Five patients required reoperation for bleeding after surgery; all survived. The authors conclude that endoscopic sclerosis should be the initial treatment for actively bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcers. If bleeding continues or recurs then surgery should be carried out.     

Packing and planned reexploration for hepatic and retroperitoneal hemorrhage: critical refinements of a useful technique

We evaluated 35 consecutive patients treated with temporary intraabdominal packing for control of bleeding to determine factors that could improve hemorrhage control, morbidity from infection, and mortality. Twelve patients could not be resuscitated from hemorrhagic shock and died in the operating or recovery room. Bleeding was controlled in the remaining 23 patients; however, five (22%) died of complications other than hemorrhage. Intra-abdominal abscesses occurred in seven of the 21 patients who survived longer than 5 days and were more frequent in patients who had gastrointestinal perforation (50% versus 27%) and selective hepatic artery ligation (80% versus 19%). Four patients with either retrohepatic vena cava injury, hepatic vein injury, or both, were packed without attempted repair; three underwent delayed repair and survived. Coagulopathy occurred in 55% of patients who received greater than 15 units of blood before packing but in only 17% who received less than 15 units. The abdomens of ten patients were closed with a prosthetic mesh which did not prevent hemorrhage control, and only one patient developed a wound infection compared to 42% of patients with primary suture closure. We therefore conclude: 1) packing is more effective if instituted early (when less than 15 units of blood have been transfused) and is not contraindicated before either repair of retrohepatic vena cava injury, hepatic vein injury, or both; 2) selective hepatic artery ligation should be avoided if packing alone stops bleeding; 3) abdominal closure with a synthetic mesh decreases the incidence of wound infection; and 4) patients should be returned to the operating room for repacking if 24-hour postoperative blood requirements exceed 10 units.     

肝癌自发性破裂出血的诊断和治疗

目的：探讨肝癌自发性破裂出血的诊治方法。方法：回顾性分析36例肝癌自发性破裂出血患者的临床资料。36例患者中,单纯保守治疗组9例,介入治疗组13例,手术治疗组14例,其中急诊行肝癌切除术8例,出血局部缝扎加肝动脉结扎4例,大网膜填塞缝扎2例。结果：保守治疗组术后再出血3例,其中2例死于肝功能衰竭;介入治疗组均彻底止血,围手术期无肝功能衰竭发生;外科手术组术后均彻底止血,1例死于肝功能衰竭。保守治疗组9例中,生存1年者3例,2年者1例,3年者1例;介入治疗组13例,生存1年者8例,2年者5例,3年者3例;外科手术组14例中,生存1年者9例,2年者7例,3年者3例。结论：手术及介入治疗均是治疗肝癌破裂出血的有效方法,介入治疗止血满意,术后并发症少,可作为不能行切除手术患者的首选治疗方法。应根据患者肝功能状态、肿瘤大小、肿瘤分期,制定个体化治疗方案,争取最佳疗效。     

Clinical features and management of pseudoaneurysmal bleeding after pancreatoduodenectomy

A ruptured pseudoaneurysm is the most serious and life-threatening cause of postpancreatoduodenectomy (PD) hemorrhages. We have evaluated the clinical course and management of pseudoaneurysms after PD. Of 586 patients who underwent PD for periampullary tumors in Asan Medical Center between March 2003 and March 2011, 27 experienced pseudoaneurysmal bleeding. Bleeding developed at a median of 21 days (range, 8 to 45 days) after surgery, including 9 patients who developed bleeding more than 4 weeks after surgery. Before development of bleeding, 26 patients showed pancreatic fistula. Bleeding was developed from the gastroduodenal artery stump in 12 patients, the common hepatic artery in eight, the proper hepatic artery in five, and the left hepatic artery in two. Of the angiographic group, 21 patients underwent with microcoil embolization, four underwent stent insertion, and one experienced technical failure. Only one patient required emergent laparotomy without angiography. Of 25 patients with angiographic procedures, all patients achieved hemostasis. The mortality rate was 22.2 per cent (6 patients). Delayed hemorrhage after PD is closely associated with pancreatic fistula and carried a significantly higher mortality rate. The patients with pancreatic fistula should be carefully monitored, even more than 4 weeks after surgery. Selective microcoil embolization or stent graft is effective for pseudoaneurysmal bleeding.     

Endoscopic ligation for patients with active bleeding Mallory-Weiss tears

Background: Only a few patients with active nonesophageal variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding have been treated with endoscopic ligation. To further address this issue, four patients with active bleeding Mallory-Weiss tears who underwent endoscopic band ligation are presented. Patients and Methods: Endoscopic ligation was performed in four patients with a median age of 52 years (range, 40-93 years) after a diagnosis of active bleeding Mallory-Weiss tears (MWTs). A 45-year-old man with massive persistent upper gastrointestinal bleeding as a cause of a MWT underwent therapeutical endoscopic band ligation after an unsuccessful endoscopic injection trial. On the contrary, injection therapy should have been performed on a 93-year-old woman with multiple myeloma because of an actively bleeding MWT caused by the fibrotic tissue after an unsuccessful endoscopic ligation trial, although her other actively bleeding MWT lesion had been ligated successfully. Results: After endoscopic ligation, all patients achieved complete hemostasis, and rebleeding did not occur. They were discharged without complications after a control endoscopy. Conclusions: Endoscopic ligation can be performed easily and without any complications such as perforation or delayed hemorrhage in patients with actively bleeding nonfibrotic MWTs.     

Management of Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension in Children

Among 69 patients with PVT, 338 variceal bleeding episodes occurred. Only two patients died from bleeding, and both lived in remote communities and were inaccessible to medical care. Fifty-three children underwent 164 operations for the management of PVT. Once operative management was undertaken, subsequent operations frequently were necessary. Nonoperative measures controlled acute variceal hemorrhage in most instances during the past 10 years. Almost all patients who underwent splenectomy alone, variceal ligation, gastric division, splenic transposition, or makeshift shunts subsequently rebled. These operations are rarely indicated in the current management of children with PVT. Portal venography is essential to define the portal venous circulation before a shunt operation is attempted. Cavomesenteric or central splenorenal shunts prevented further bleeding in eight of 15 patients and are the most reliable operations to control bleeding in patients with PVT. Emergency operation is rarely necessary to control bleeding. Sixteen patients (average age 14.6 years) with PVT did not undergo any operations, and are alive. Each of the six patients with PVT who died from complications of portal hypertension did so within nine months of an operation. Four of these patients had previous splenectomy and died with sepsis as one of the major factors. Bleeding episodes became less frequent as the patients increased in age. Patients who underwent shunts under unfavorable circumstances or who received various other operations to treat portal hypertension appeared to have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than those managed nonoperatively.     

Angiographic characteristics of dural arteriovenous malformations that present with intracranial hemorrhage

Summary Dural arteriovenous malformations (dAVMs) are uncommon lesions that constitute about 12% of all the arteriovenous malformations. Depending on the location and the hemodynamics of the lesion, bruit, focal neurological deficit, and visual symptoms represent the more common presentation modalities. Although uncommon, intracranial hemorrhage can occur.In the present study, we report six patients with dural arteriovenous malformation that presented with intracranial hemorrhage. In five cases the hemorrhage was intraparenchymal (localized to the parietooccipital area in three), while it was confined to the subarachnoid space in the remaining one. The dAVM involved the transverse sinus in three cases, was based along the tentorial incisura in two, and was at the level of the torcular Herophili in one. Leptomeningeal drainage was present in all the cases. Aneurysmal dilatation of the draining vein(s) was identified in three. Sinus stenosis/occlusion was identified in two of the four patients with a dAVM draining into a major dural sinus. Four patients underwent preoperative embolization, and all patients had surgical resection of their lesions. Anatomical cure, as defined by absence of any residual dAVM on postoperative angiogram, was achieved in all six patients.We conclude that several findings such as leptomeningeal drainage, location outside a major venous sinus, variceal dilatation, sinus stenosis/occlusion increase the risk of bleeding and are frequently observed in those dAVMs that present with intracranial hemorrhage. Recognition of these angiographic features is critical in planning a therapeutic approach tailored to the characteristics of the individual case. When these angiographic findings are present, prompt and definitive treatment is mandatory. Death from the initial hemorrhage and, in absence of definitive treatment, rebleeding are not uncommon.     

Digestive hemorrhage caused by rupture of esophageal varices. Analysis of 47 emergency surgeries

Between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1986, 47 patients out of a total of 228 patients admitted to hospital with endoscopy-proven bleeding esophageal varices, underwent an emergency operation. The indications were massive hemorrhage in 29 patients, and rebleeding early after a first serious episode in 18 patients. Four patients underwent early reoperation for recurrent variceal bleeding. Thirty-seven porto-caval shunts, 10 esophageal transections, 3 proximal gastric resections and 1 exploratory laparotomy were performed. The early results were satisfactory in 53.2% of the patients; operative morbidity and mortality were 19.1% and 27.7% respectively. Four patients died from gastric variceal bleeding soon after esophageal transection. Operative mortality was greater when the patient was Child C or operated for massive hemorrhage. Survivors were followed for at least 12 months. Two patients died from shunt occlusion and recurrent variceal bleeding. No severe encephalopathy was reported. Analysis of the results suggest that porto-caval shunt is indicated in Child A or B patients, particularly with recurrent variceal bleeding soon after a first episode controlled medically.     

Thrombolytic therapy for acute arterial occlusion

To evaluate the role of selective intra-arterial low-dose thrombolytic therapy (SILDT) as an alternative to the surgical management of acute arterial occlusion, the hospital records of 40 patients who underwent 43 SILDT treatments with either streptokinase (36) or urokinase (7) between December 1979 and March 1984 were reviewed. Twenty-eight patients underwent 30 treatments (group 1) for native arterial occlusion and 12 patients underwent 13 treatments (group 2) for prosthetic or autogenous graft occlusions. Therapy was deemed successful if subsequent surgical therapy was obviated. In group 1, SILDT was successful in 13 of 28 (45%) patients with 12 of 25 lower extremity occlusions and one of three upper extremity occlusions. Successful lysis in the native artery occlusion group fell into three categories: five patients were successfully treated for arterial thrombosis complicating percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA); four patients required PTA after complete lysis revealed an underlying arterial stenosis; and only three required no further therapy after SILDT. SILDT failed in all three patients with the aortoiliac occlusions. Eleven patients with femoral artery occlusions and unsuccessful SILDT required six bypass procedures, three amputations, one embolectomy, and one PTA. In group 2 only 3 of 14 treatments (21%) were successful. Bypass revision was not possible in 11 patients and all required amputation. Systemic fibrinolysis was seen in 20 (59%) of 34 patients with available data. Neither fibrinogen levels nor fibrin degradation products predicted the occurrence of complications. Minor complications occurred in 18 of 43 (43%) treatments; small hematomas at the catheter entry site were most common. Minor complications occurred in 20 of 43 treatments (44%) and included severe local hemorrhage (four), distant bleeding (three), pulmonary embolism (four), myocardial infarction (three), unmasking of an aortoduodenal fistula (one), and clot migration requiring emergency thrombectomy (four). SILDT is most effective in acute arterial thrombosis complicating arteriography or percutaneous angioplasty. It may play a role in the patient in whom thrombolysis can reveal an underlying stenosis amenable to percutaneous angioplasty. This experience shows SILDT to be of limited value in the management of prosthetic autogenous graft occlusions. Finally, thrombolytic therapy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates and requires cautious monitoring to detect arterial thrombus migration, worsening tissue ischemia, venous thromboembolism, intracerebral hemorrhage, and local or systemic bleeding.     

Necrotizing pancreatitis in renal transplant patients

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis developed in 5 of 405 patients who underwent renal transplantation. All five patients were taking immunosuppressive medication (azathioprine and steroids). Three patients also received rabbit antithymus serum. Alcohol ingestion or cholelithiasis did not play any causative role in the pancreatitis, which began between 7 days and 13 months after renal transplantation. The delay from the time of admission for pancreatitis to surgical exploration was a mean of 17 days. Operative findings included pancreatic necrosis, hemorrhage and abscess formation. All five patients died of the complications of necrotizing pancreatitis--persistent sepsis, respiratory and renal failure, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This review demonstrates that prolonged conservative therapy in renal transplant patients with necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with high mortality. The authors believe that earlier surgical intervention will lead to increased survival.     

Bleeding pseudocysts and pseudoaneurysms in chronic pancreatitis

Spontaneous haemorrhage associated with chronic pancreatitis in 17 patients was related to a pseudocyst in 15 (88 per cent) patients and to pancreatic lithiasis (one patient) or to infarction-rupture of the spleen (one patient). Bleeding was massive in six patients and intermittent in 11. It resulted from erosion of the gastroduodenal or the splenic artery in four patients. Bleeding into the pancreatic duct occurred in four patients and erosion of the duodenum by a bleeding pseudocyst in five. Haemorrhage was confined to a pseudocyst in six patients and was intraperitoneal in two. Of the 15 patients with bleeding pseudocysts, ten underwent primary pancreatic resection (eight proximal and two distal pancreatectomies) with no mortality but four had early complications. Four of the five patients who underwent transcystic ligation of bleeding vessels and pseudocyst drainage had postoperative complications: one died from sepsis and liver failure and three underwent reoperation for severe postoperative bleeding. Of these, two had proximal pancreatic resection with one death. The third patient had further suture ligation and external drainage. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 12 per cent and following emergency surgery 33 per cent. Favourable results were achieved in two-thirds of patients when the primary operative strategy could be directed towards the control of bleeding and removal of the affected pancreatic segment. Primary pancreatic resection, although technically demanding in the presence of haemorrhage, is recommended whenever possible for the treatment of bleeding pancreatic pseudocysts and pseudoaneurysms associated with chronic pancreatitis.     

Endovascular administration after intravenous infusion of thrombolytic agents for the treatment of patients with acute ischemic strokes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of combined intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic strokes and to evaluate its associated risks, using magnetic resonance imaging as a triage tool. Intravenous treatment followed by intra-arterial infusion may increase the rate of recanalization and lead to better clinical results, with reduced frequency of intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS: Our Brain Attack Team evaluated patients who presented within 3 hours after symptom onset. Patients who did not demonstrate improvement and exhibited no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage on head computed tomographic scans were treated with intravenously administered recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (0.6 mg/kg) and underwent emergency magnetic resonance imaging of the head. T2-weighted turbo-gradient and spin echo and echo-planar diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging scans were obtained. Patients with evidence of imaging abnormalities indicating acute cortical infarction underwent cerebral angiography. After determination of vessel occlusion, intra-arterially administered urokinase (up to 750,000 units) or intra-arterially administered recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (maximal dose, 0.3 mg/kg) was used to achieve recanalization. RESULTS: We treated 45 patients with this protocol. The mean age was 67 +/- 13 years, and 58% of the patients were women. There was a significant improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores after treatment. There was good correlation between abnormal perfusion-weighted imaging findings and cerebral angiographic findings (complete vessel occlusion). The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 4.4% in this cohort. Seven patients died in the hospital, and the majority of survivors (77%) experienced good outcomes (Barthel index of >or=95) 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that this protocol is feasible and that combined intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis to treat acute ischemic strokes is sufficiently safe to warrant further evaluation.     

腹部肿瘤术后出血的血管造影表现及栓塞治疗

目的探讨腹部肿瘤外科术后出血的血管造影表现,评价介入栓塞治疗的安全性和有效性。方法回顾分析腹部肿瘤外科术后出血69例患者的临床资料、血管造影表现和栓塞治疗情况,评价栓塞治疗效果、休克指数1.0、1.0～1.5、1.5时血管造影和栓塞止血情况及并发症情况。结果对69例共进行88例次血管造影,血管造影阳性率75.00%(66/88),行介入栓塞治疗67例次,止血成功49例次(49/67,73.13%);休克指数1.0～1.5时,血管造影阳性率达89.19%(33/37),栓塞止血成功率77.42%(24/31)。8例患者介入止血术后1个月内死亡。结论介入栓塞止血治疗安全、有效,可作为腹部肿瘤术后出血的首选治疗方法。止血时应关注休克指数,尽早选择血管造影和栓塞治疗;在血管造影为阴性结果时,经验性栓塞治疗并不能为患者带来更大的获益。     

Angiographic embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries to control life-threatening hemorrhage after blunt trauma to the pelvis

Angiographic embolization of bleeding pelvic vessels is increasingly used in patients with pelvic injuries. Temporary angiographic embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries (TAEBIIA) is occasionally necessary. From November 1991 to March 1998, 30 consecutive patients (mean age of 43 years, mean Injury Severity Score of 25) with complex pelvic fractures underwent TAEBIIA to control severe hemorrhage not responding to subselective embolization. Angiography revealed multiple sources of pelvic bleeding in 28 (93%) patients. In the two remaining patients, no bleeding was identified but TAEBIIA was done empirically. Thirteen patients had laparotomies before TAEBIIA with unsuccessful bleeding control, and the remaining 17 had TAEBIIA as the primary treatment. After TAEBIIA 90 per cent of patients had successful clinical (27 of 30) and radiographic (25 of 28) control of bleeding. Of the three patients who continued to bleed after TAEBIIA two were successfully re-embolized and one died of acute cardiac failure before any further intervention was attempted. TAEBIIA had a success rate of 97 per cent (29 of 30) in controlling pelvic hemorrhage without significant complications related to it. TAEBIIA is a safe and effective alternative to subselective embolization in controlling retroperitoneal bleeding in selected patients with blunt pelvic trauma.