Angiographic Management of Postoperative Bleeding

Selective visceral arteriography was performed in 11 patients with unremitting bleeding directly related to gastrointestinal surgery. In each case the site of hemorrhage was localized and posterior pituitary extract was infused into the bleeding artery to achieve hemostasis. In nine patients the infusion was successful in providing angiographic and clinical control of the bleeding, and further therapy was not required. In the remaining two patients the infusion failed to arrest the hemorrhage and both patients needed re-exploration. There were no complications, and all patients were discharged from the hospital.