Superselective arterial embolization for the control of postsurgical bleeding.

Superselective catheterization and Gelfoam embolization of a muscular branch of the deep femoral artery was successfully performed; a profuse postsurgical bleeding requiring repeated transfusion of blood was stopped. The time of persistence, advantages and disadvantages of commonly used embolic materials are discussed. It is concluded that embolization is an effective method to stop bleeding in selected patients.