Endovascular micro-arterial stenting for arterial pseudoaneurysm after pancreatic surgery

Endovascular treatment of postoperative hemorrhage after pancreatectomy: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Ruptured aneurysm is a serious complication of distal pancreatectomy (DP) or pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a Viabahn stent graft for stopping bleeding after pancreatectomy.

METHODS

Between April 2016 and June 2022, we performed 245 pancreatectomies in our institution. Six patients experienced postoperative bleeding and underwent endovascular treatment.

RESULTS

All six cases of bleeding occurred post-PD (3.7%). The bleeding was from gastroduodenal artery (GDA) pseudoaneurysms in three patients, and Viabahn stent grafts were inserted. All three patients did not show liver function abnormalities or hepatic blood flow disorders. One patient with a Viabahn stent graft experienced rebleeding, which required further management to obtain hemostasis. Of the six cases in which there was hemorrhage, one case of bleeding from the native hepatic artery could not be managed.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the Viabahn stent graft is an effective treatment option for postoperative bleeding from GDA pseudoaneurysms following PD. In most cases, using this device resulted in successful hemostasis, without observed abnormalities in hepatic function or blood flow.

Efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy for delayed hepatic artery post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage: development of extrahepatic collateral circulation and complications of post endovascular therapy

Background

Endovascular therapy (ET) for delayed hepatic artery post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (HA-PPH) may require complete hepatic artery occlusion (HAO). Nonetheless, the development of extrahepatic collateral circulation (EHC) and the relationship between radiological factors (EHC, portal vein stenosis, and HAO) and adverse hepatic events after ET remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ET for delayed PPH and examine the development of EHC.

Methods

A total of 19 ET cases for delayed HA-PPH were reviewed. Hepatic adverse events, portal vein stenosis, HAO, and mortality rate after ET were evaluated. Moreover, EHC from the left gastric artery (LGA), right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA), left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA), right internal thoracic artery (RITA), left internal thoracic artery (LITA), renal artery (RA), omental artery (OA), intercostal artery (IA), and branch of superior mesenteric artery (BSMA) was assessed using angiogram and computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Results

All cases were successfully treated using transcatheter arterial embolization (n = 17) and stent-graft placement (n = 2) without mortality. EHC from the LGA (8/19), RIPA (10/19), LIPA (4/19), and RITA (3/19) was observed on post-ET CTA. The incidence of hepatic adverse events was significant in the group with both HAO and portal vein stenosis (p < 0.001) and absence of EHC from LIPA and RITA (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

ET for delayed HA-PPH might be effective and safe. While avoiding both HAO and portal vein stenosis is important, the development of EHCs from LIPA and RITA may prevent hepatic adverse events after ET.