Use of angiographic embolization in trauma-induced pediatric abdominal solid organ injuries.

Abstract

Knowledge of the utility of angiographic embolization (AE) in pediatric cases of blunt abdominal solid organ trauma injuries is limited. The current study is an examination of AE as an effective and reliable method to control bleeding in patients with persistent bleeding due to blunt trauma-induced abdominal solid organ injury. This was a retrospective examination of patients <17 years of age who had experienced blunt abdominal solid organ injury and who presented at a single institution within 4 years. A statistical analysis of the data was performed. The mean length of intensive care unit stay was 4 days for those who underwent embolization (n=11), and the mean length of hospital stay was 12 days. The average pre-AE blood loss, as measured by the decrease in hematocrit (%) from admission to embolization, was -7.33+-5.3% (p<0.001). The average post-AE blood loss, as measured by the change in hematocrit 72 hours post AE, was 2+-0.97% (p>0.05). All of the patients were discharged with a full recovery. AE was a safe and effective method to control solid organ hemorrhage in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal injuries.