[The role of transarterial embolisation in the treatment of patients with abdominal injuries].
BACKGROUND
The role of transarterial embolisation in patients with abdominal injuries is controversial. Some trauma centres advocate routine angiography, whereas others believe in restricted indications such as increasing haematomas or persistent/recurrent haematuria.


METHODS
We prospectively studied 167 patients with blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. We used restricted indications for angiography and embolisation.


RESULTS
Eleven of 167 patients with abdominal trauma (7%) were treated with angiography and embolisation., Overall, three of 11 patients (27%) with angiography and embolisation were treated emergently and eight of them (73%) at an average of 7.3 days. There were no complications due to the embolisation procedure, and all bleeding could be stopped.


CONCLUSIONS
Transarterial angiography and embolisation is an important and safe tool in the treatment of acute abdominal injury when used for restricted indications. We believe this should not be performed as a routine procedure, especially in unstable patients.
Platz
A
A
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich. andreas.platz@triemli.stzh.ch
Heinzelmann
M
M
Helmy
N
N
Trentz
O
O
Pfammatter
T
T
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000293:injuries; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*