Endovascular management of two episodes of late intraperitoneal hemorrhage following laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Endovascular treatment for hemorrhagic complications following surgery has recently gained wide acceptance due to its minimal invasiveness compared to surgery. A 56-year-old male patient underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. There were two episodes of late intraperitoneal hemorrhage and endovascular treatment was performed. Transcatheter coil embolization of the gastroduodenal artery stump was successful in controlling the bleeding initially; however, hemorrhage recurred 7 days later. Repeated angiography revealed an obvious hemorrhage from the right gastric artery stump and embolization of the hepatic artery proper was performed to achieve immediate hemostasis. The endovascular treatment process was analyzed and the literature on similar situations was reviewed. In the present case, endovascular procedures were performed successfully to control bleeding in two episodes of late intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Angiography is recommended as the first-line modality for late intraperitoneal hemorrhage following laparoscopic gastrectomy and transcatheter coil embolization of the hepatic artery proper is safe and effective in selected cases.