Introduction: Hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysms after pancreatic surgery is a rare but life-threatening and complicated complication. The study presents our experience to provide therapeutic management for this rare condition.
Methods: Between February 1994 and January 2011, 35 patients experienced hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysms in our hospital. Medical data of this rare complication were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: The prevalence of hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysms was 3.2% (35/1,102). Sixteen patients (45.7%) experienced sentinel bleeding. Pancreatic fistula (74.3%) and intra-abdominal abscess (57.1%) were two common complications prior to hemorrhage. Of 35 patients, 20 underwent endovascular intervention, 14 received surgical re-laparotomy, and bleeding stopped spontaneously in one. The overall mortality rate was 22.9%. Technical success rate of endovascular treatment was 87%. There were significant differences in the mortality rate (10.0% vs 42.9%), operation time (72.8 vs 123.9 min), estimated blood loss (1,835 vs 3,000 ml), and intensive care unit stay (3.6 vs 8.6 days) between endovascular and surgical treatment. Mean follow-up was 19.2 ± 17.0 (range, 5-63 months).
Conclusion: Endovascular intervention represents the first-line treatment for hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysms after pancreatic surgery. Endovascular embolization or stent-graft placement should be selected individually depending on the involved artery and its vascular anatomy.