Life-threatening bleeding after pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer: endovascular management of ruptured external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Clinically, postoperative pseudoaneurysm rupture following gynecological radical surgeries is a very rare but fatal complication. The occurrence of this fatal complication should arouse the concern of clinicians. Accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment is needed for this emergency condition. Case: A 56-year-old women had life-threatening bleeding caused by ruptured external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm five months after pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical squamous carcinoma. Emergency left external iliac artery covered stent placement was successfully performed to control the massive bleeding. The patient recovered well and no complication was observed during a three month follow-up period. Conclusions: In some cases, endovascular techniques may be an attractive alternative.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• external iliac artery
• pseudoaneurysm
• massive bleeding
• postoperative complication
• pelvic surgery