ABDOMINAL SOLID ORGAN EMBOLIZATION IN TRAUMA: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT FROM A HIGH-COMPLEXITY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN COLOMBIA afgm2011@gmail.com

PW05-10

ABDOMINAL SOLID ORGAN EMBOLIZATION IN TRAUMA: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT FROM A HIGH-COMPLEXITY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN COLOMBIA

8

Colombia

Oral or Poster

Solid organ embolization is a key adjunct in the management of abdominal trauma, either complementing surgery for hemorrhage control or avoiding the need for open surgery. However, global evidence describing detailed indications, techniques, and outcomes remains limited. This study provides relevant data from a high-complexity university hospital in Latin America.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with abdominal trauma who underwent embolization between 2017 and 2025. Clinical variables, trauma mechanism, imaging findings, endovascular technique, and hospital outcomes were analyzed.

A total of 121 patients were included (78.5% male), with a median ISS of 26 (18–35). Penetrating trauma accounted for 57%, with 88% due to firearm injuries. Embolization was indicated by imaging in 79.3%, mainly for active extravasation (59.1%), while 20.7% were embolized based on intraoperative findings. Particles were used in 33.1%, coils in 26.4%, and both in 14.9%. Embolization was successful in 80.2%, unsuccessful in 7.4%, with no active bleeding identified in 11.5%. Re-embolization was required in 3.7%. and 19% underwent subsequent laparotomy, mostly for hollow viscus injuries. The liver was the most frequently embolized organ, followed by the kidney and, lastly, the spleen. Most of these cases involved grade IV and V injuries. Complications occurred in 7.4%, including renal ischemia (2.5%), abscesses (3.3%), and pancreatitis (0.8%). In-hospital mortality was 7.4%.

This cohort represents one of the largest published series on embolization in abdominal trauma. Findings reinforce its role as a safe and effective strategy, contributing valuable evidence to guide clinical decision-making in both penetrating and blunt trauma.