Angiographic embolisation in pelvic fracture.

Pelvic angiography is accepted in the control of haemorrhage due to pelvic fracture. The technique is reported to be effective in patients bleeding from small arterial branches of the internal iliac artery. Despite its widespread use, complications of the technique are scarcely reported. We reviewed all patients having undergone this intervention at our institution over a 10 year period. The technique was applicable in a minority of pelvic fracture cases. Sepsis was common in patients subsequently undergoing internal fixation of the pelvic fracture. Angiographic embolisation may be useful in controlling haemorrhage due to pelvic fracture. However, standardized parameters of a successful intervention are yet to be defined. Caution must be exercised when using this technique, particularly when proceeding to internal fixation of the pelvic ring.