Utilizing preoperative arterial embolization to minimize blood loss at time of vulvar sarcoma resection: A case report

Abstract

Selective arterial embolization has long been utilized in the field of obstetrics and gynecology as both a prophylactic and therapeutic measure. We present a case of a highly vascularized, poorly differentiated, radiation-related vulvar sarcoma that was resected immediately following selective arterial embolization. Arterial embolization in patients with gynecologic malignancies has been shown to compromise blood supply to the tumor and decrease the risk of hemorrhage and related surgical complications. In this case, the use of embolization prior to surgery appeared to result in a less morbid procedure for the patient with decreased blood loss and improved quality of life thereafter. Based on the presented case, we believe that arterial embolization can be considered a safe preoperative intervention to decrease surgical risk, particularly hemorrhage, at time of resection of highly vascularized vulvar tumors.

Keywords

• Embolization
• Vulvar cancer
• Sarcoma
• Quality of life
• Surgical morbidity