Advantages of early intervention with arterial embolization for intra-abdominal solid organ injuries in children

Abstract

Abstract:PURPOSEActive bleeding due to abdominal trauma is an important cause of mortality in childhood. Theaim of this study is to demonstrate the advantages of early percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization (PTAE) procedures in children with intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to blunttrauma.METHODSChildren with blunt abdominal trauma were retrospectively included. Two groups were identified for inclusion: patients with early embolization (EE group, n=10) and patients with lateembolization (LE group, n=11). Both groups were investigated retrospectively and statisticallyanalyzed with regard to lengths of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital, first enteralfeeding after trauma, blood transfusion requirements, and cost.RESULTSThe duration of stay in the intensive care unit was greater in the LE group than in the EE group(4 days vs. 2 days, respectively). The duration of hospital stay was greater in the LE group than inthe EE group (14 days vs. 6 days, respectively). Blood transfusion requirements (15 cc/kg of RBCpacks) were greater in the LE group than in the EE group (3 vs. 1, respectively). The total hospitalcost was higher in the LE group than in the EE group (4502 USD vs. 1371.5 USD, respectively). Thetime before starting enteral feeding after first admission was higher in the LE group than in theEE group (4 days vs. 1 day, respectively).CONCLUSIONEarly embolization with PTAE results in shorter intensive care and hospitalization stays, earlierenteral feeding, and lower hospital costs for pediatric patients with intra-abdominal hemorrhagedue to blunt trauma.