Transcatheter microcoil embolotherapy for ruptured pseudoaneurysm following pancreatic and biliary surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of transcatheter microcoil embolotherapy for bleeding pseudoaneurysms complicating major pancreatic and biliary surgery.

Methods: Over an 8-year period, 8 patients were encountered who developed massive bleeding from pseudoaneurysms 15-64 days (mean 31 days) following major pancreatic and biliary surgery. Urgent transcatheter microcoil embolotherapy was performed in all 8 patients.

Results: Transcatheter embolotherapy was successful in 7 of 8 patients (88%) but failed in one due to development of disseminated intravascular coagulation. One patient developed recurrent bleeding 36 days after the first embolotherapy from a newly developed pseudoaneurysm, which was again treated successfully with embolization. Two patients subsequently underwent additional surgery for residual pathology. Three of the 7 patients with successful embolotherapy were alive at 10-96 months, 4 patients died of associated malignancies 4-20 months after embolotherapy.

Conclusions: Transcatheter microcoil embolotherapy is effective for bleeding pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatic and biliary surgery, and should be considered the first treatment of choice.