title: Embolisation for vascular injuries complicating elective orthopaedic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to present the indications and emphasise the role of embolisation for vascular injuries in orthopaedic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients with vascular injuries complicating elective orthopaedic surgery had embolisation from 2003 to 2010. N-2-butyl cyano-acrylate (NBCA) was used as embolic agent in 28 patients, gelatin sponge in three and coil embolisation in addition to NBCA or gelatin sponge in two patients. The mean follow-up period was 37 months (range, 4-96 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common orthopaedic operations associated with vascular injuries amenable to embolisation were hip-joint procedures; and the most common injuries were arterial tears of branch vessels or non-critical axial vessels, most commonly of the superior glutaeal artery. In all cases, angiography showed the bleeding point, and a single embolisation session effectively stopped bleeding. Embolisation-related complications were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Embolisation should be considered the treatment of choice for vascular injuries of branch vessels or non-critical axial vessels following elective orthopaedic surgery because of the advantages of minimally invasive therapy and the lack of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mavrogenis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rimondi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruggieri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercuri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004659:Enbucrilate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004659:Enbucrilate