[Percutaneous transvascular embolization as a palliative measure in bleeding gynecological malignancies of the pelvis].

Between 1981 and 1983 48 patients with an average age of 54 years have had an arterial embolization of internal iliac artery. In 7 patients this was done preoperatively within a clinical study, in 41 ones because of profuse vaginal bleedings. In 6 patients there was a vital indication. In all cases survival time was 152 days. In two cases a re-embolization was necessary. In these two patients survival time was on average 338 days. The manoeuvre was done with particles of gelatin of different size suspended in contrast medium. One complication could be observed, but was not caused directly by embolization. In cases of profuse or vital bleedings which conservatively cannot be stopped embolization is method of first choice with no contraindication.