title: Reduction of blood loss during extensive pelvic procedures by aortic clamping--a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine the effect of intraoperative aortic clamping during extensive pelvic procedures on blood loss, operative time, and morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen women with ovarian cancer, 1 with cervical cancer, and 1 with an extensive pelvic sarcoma had their aortas completely occluded with a vascular clamp before the pelvic phases of their operations. Heparin and protamine reversal were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients requiring en bloc excision of the internal reproductive organs, pelvic peritoneum, and recto-sigmoid colon in the context of a cytoreductive operation had a median estimated total blood loss of 650 ml (range 200 to 3500), a median of 2 units (range 0 to 8) of blood transfused, and a median total operative time of 155 min (range 90 to 280). There were no complications due to the aortic clamping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most procedures were completed with a less than anticipated blood loss and operative time. Clamping of the aorta may potentially diminish blood loss, operative time, and the incidence of transfusion-related morbidity associated with extensive pelvic operations. Intraoperative aortic clamping merits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Women's Cancer Center, Encino-Tarzana, California 91356, USA. dobsnccats@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Eisenkop
authors.forename: Nick M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Spirtos
authors.forename: Wei-Chien Michael
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000379:methods; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000601:surgery; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery