Surgical excision of sacral tumors assisted by occluding the abdominal aorta with a balloon dilation catheter: a report of 3 cases.
METHODS
A report of 3 cases of upper sacral tumors excised by occluding the abdominal aorta with a balloon dilation catheter (BDC).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibilities of reducing intraoperative hemorrhage and improving the safety of surgical excision of sacral tumors assisted by occluding the abdominal aorta with a BDC.


BACKGROUND
Surgical excision of upper sacral tumors has been considered a high-risk and difficult operation, with multiple complications because of its massive and uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage. However, until now and to our knowledge, no report on resection of sacral tumors assisted by occluding the abdominal aorta with a BDC is available.


METHODS
A BDC was used to occlude the abdominal aorta for 40-65 minutes in assisting with resection of upper sacral tumors in 3 cases.


RESULTS
After the abdominal aorta was occluded, much less intraoperative hemorrhage was found, and the volume of blood loss was only 100-200 mL. This procedure assisted the surgeon in identifying clearly the surgical margin and sacral nerves surrounded by the tumors. In addition, intraoperative contamination was also minimized. The blood pressure remained stable during the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
To occlude the abdominal aorta with a BDC may effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage, thus assisting the surgeon in the complete and safe resection of upper sacral tumors.
Mi
Chuan
C
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. cm1914173@vip.sina.com
Lu
Hailin
H
Liu
Hong
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002404:Catheterization; D002817:Chordoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D012447:Sacrum; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome