Abstract
AbstractTranscatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is accepted to be an effective treatment in both resectable and nonresectable hepatoma, which is very prevalent in Taiwan. Two hundred and twenty‐five embolizations of TAE were performed in 137 patients in a 3‐year period. Postembolization syndrome developed in the majority of patients. We analyzed these patients to study the nature and incidence of unusual complications and the surgical role in their managment. In our series, unusual complications, which were rarely reported in the literature, included 13 cases (5.8%) of gastroduodenal bleeding, 2 cases (0.9%) of duodenal perforation, 9 cases (4.0%) of acute pancreatitis with 1 case of gangrenous change, 24 cases (10.7%) of gallbladder infarction with 1 case of perforation, 4 cases (1.8%) of delayed formation of gallstones, 3 cases (1.3%) of hyperuricemia, and 2 cases (0.9%) of hepatoma rupture. Ischemic necrosis of the organs may be attributed to the inadvertent blockade of the gastroduodenal artery, gastric artery, cystic artery, and important collaterals. Inadequate superselectivity, the size of the tumor, regurgitation of embolus, anatomical variations, injury of vessel intima, or pseudoaneurysm formation resulting from previous embolization attempts made the avoidance of complications difficult with this technique. Most of the unusual complications could be managed by conservative treatment, but urgent operation was indicated in the cases of organ perforation. Elective operation was also needed for the delayed formation of gallstones with prominent symptoms. Awareness of the occurrence of these untoward sequelae makes us more careful in the evaluation and long‐term follow‐up of patients following TAE. Surgical intervention plays a selective but important role in the management of these unusual complications.
Published Version
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