2013 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 27-32
There are several reports of the rupture of pseudoaneurysms of the superior or inferior gluteal artery with massive bleeding occurring during internal fixation of pelvic fractures that required suspension of the operation to perform emergency transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the pseudoaneurysm. Therefore, in our institution, internal iliac angiography is performed before internal fixation of pelvic fractures, and when a pseudoaneurysm is discovered, it is treated by TAE.
Since April 2007, internal iliac angiography has been performed on 17 patients before internal fixation of their pelvic ring fractures. TAE was performed on 3 patients with a superior or inferior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm. Thereafter, internal fixation of the pelvic fractures was finished without acute massive bleeding.
In cases of internal fixation of pelvic ring fractures, angiography needs to be performed first, and when a pseudoaneurysm is present, it needs to be treated by TAE so that the internal fixation can be completed safely.
