Background and objectives: To investigate the feasibilities of reducing intraoperative hemorrhage and improving the safety of pelvic and sacrum tumor surgery using sizing balloon occluding abdominal aorta.
Method: From May 2001 to May 2007, 18 patients were diagnosed as sacrum or pelvic tumor and underwent surgery in our institution. Balloon catheters were placed via femoral artery to occlude the abdominal aorta of pelvic tumor and sacrum region undergoing the sacrum resection or half pelvis resection and replacement operation in 12 patients. A sizing balloon was used to occlude the abdominal aorta for 60 min in assisting with resection of pelvic and sacral tumors.
Results: After the abdominal aorta was occluded, much less intraoperative hemorrhage was found, and the average blood loss was only 280 ml (range 200-600 ml). This procedure assisted the surgeon in identifying clearly the surgical margin and neurovascular structure surrounded by the tumors. The blood pressure remained stable during the operation. And the function of the kidney, the pelvis organs and the lower extremities were normal.
Conclusion: Intraoperative abdominal aorta occluding may effectively control intraoperative hemorrhage, thus assisting the surgeon in the complete and safe resection of pelvic and sacrum tumors.