To evaluate the usefulness of the angiographic embolization for the treatment of postoperative bleeding.

Six patients who suffered massive postoperative bleeding underwent angiographic embolization from March 1998 to June 1999. The initial diagnosis was femoral fractures in 4 patients, infected total hip arthroplasty in a patient, and open humerus fracture in a patient. When angiography revealed arterial tear, embolization was performed. The authors evaluated the effectiveness and the complication of angiographic embolization.

Five patients had arterial tear and one patient had diffuse bleeding from the granulation tissue. Angiographic embolization was performed in all patients. There were 3 cases of injury of the deep femoral artery, a case of injury of a branch of the subclavian artery, and a case of injury of the superior gluteal artery. After the procedure swelling subsided and the amount of transfusion diminished in all patients. There was no complication related to angiographic embolization.

When there is suspicion of arterial injury after the operation, angiographic embolization can be used to confirm arterial injury and to control bleeding.