Preoperative arterial embolisations of a huge, chronic, expanding haematoma to inhibit intra-operative massive bleeding: a case report.

Abstract

Chronic expanding haematoma is a rare disease that occurs months or years after surgical treatment or trauma and continues a slow growth thereafter. The first choice of treatment is complete resection, including the fibrous capsule; however, abundant new vascularisations beneath the capsule and fibrous adhesion to the surrounding tissues cause intra-operative massive bleeding. This article presents a case of a huge, chronic, expanding haematoma of the right chest 48 years after two surgical treatments. Preoperative arterial embolisations and covering the remaining capsule with a muscle flap inhibited massive bleeding and recurrence.