Abstract
We reported about two cases of hemorrhagic shock for open pelvic fracture patients, who were successfully treated with intra aortic balloon occlusion (IABO). In the first case, a 69-year-old man was run over by a train and transferred to our emergency and critical care center with an open wound around anus. His blood pressure was 130/55-mmHg and pulse was 90/min. AO classification of the pelvic fracture was 61-C1. The second case was of an 18-year-old man who suffered injuries from a motor vehicle accident. On arrival, an open wound around the perineal area was examined. The patient’s blood pressure was 72/43-mmHg and pulse 110/min. AO classification of the pelvic fracture was 61-C2. Because neither patient responded to fluid administration and emergency transfusion and status of shock continued, a catheter for intra-aortic balloon occlusion was inserted. This procedure stabilized the patients’ blood pressure and operations were performed. In both cases descending aorta was partially and intermittently shut off. Total interruption time of descending aorta for case 1 and case 2 was 10 and 20 minutes, respectively. IABO is a secure method for arresting bleeding below the abdomen and effective for emergency treatment of open pelvic fractures with hemorrhagic shock.
