Transarterial embolization for pelvic hematoma following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The present study reports a case of hemorrhage from branches of the right obturator artery following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. On post‑operative day 9, the patient complained of lower abdominal pain, and the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels had decreased. Emergency computed tomography angiography showed a large pelvic hematoma suggesting active bleeding. Transarterial embolization (TAE) was performed using microcoils. There were no post‑procedure complications. At 3 months post‑surgery, using computed tomography, the pelvic hematoma was shown to have been absorbed. To the best of our knowledge, TAE for a hemorrhage from the obturator artery following laparoscopic prostatectomy has not previously been described. TAE is a safe and minimally invasive treatment compared with surgical intervention, and should be considered as a treatment for post‑operative arterial hemorrhage.