Does transarterial pelvic embolization have a negative effect on perioperative outcomes in pelvic ring injury and acetabular fracture?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether TAE negatively impacted perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent open surgery for pelvic trauma.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographs of patients who had open surgery for an acute pelvic trauma between February 2014 and May 2017. The patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent TAE and those who did not. We evaluated preoperative demographics and perioperative outcomes between the two groups. Injury type-specific comparisons were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients (50 TAE and 86 non-TAE) were included in this study. There were significant differences in preoperative demographics including the type of injury, injury severity score, revised trauma score, surgical approach, initial blood pressure, and the amount of transfusion within 24 h between the two groups. However, no differences in perioperative outcomes were identified except for the amount of total transfusion. There were significant differences between the two groups in the injury type-specific comparisons, specifically in the amount of transfusion within 24 h in patients with pelvic ring injury and in the injury severity score in patients with acetabular fracture. However, there was no difference in perioperative outcomes between the groups for either injury type.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we were unable to identify negative effects of TAE on perioperative outcomes. Therefore, when considering open surgery subsequent to TAE, there is no evidence of increased risk for negative perioperative outcomes, especially with respect to bone healing and deep infection.