Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of early superselective angiography and embolization in the diagnosis and treatment of massive bleeding after gastrectomy.
Methods: The clinical data of 28 patients with massive bleeding after surgery from 1980 to 2001 were retrospectively analysed. All patients underwent emergency angiography and 27 of them were treated by transcatheter embolization.
Results: Bleeding was controlled in 26 of the 28 patients (93%), recurrent bleeding occurred in 1, an recognized bleeding in 1, and abdominal pain in 1. There was no death.
Conclusions: Transarterial embolization for massive bleeding after gastrectomy is safe and effective. It is suggested that early emergency angiography should be considered in all patients with massive gastrointestinal bleeding after gastrectomy.