Control of experimental traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization.

The feasibility of control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by angiographic transcatheter embolization was investigated. Bleeding sites were created in the livers of each of twelve dogs, and the hepatic artery was occluded with Gelfoam. Successful control of bleeding was demonstrated by postembolization angiography in all twelve animals. Initial elevations in alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values returned to their baseline in four weeks. Recanalization of the hepatic artery in the five surviving animals was shown by follow-up angiograms. Transcatheter embolic control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage may be a useful adjunct to surgical therapy.