Embolization is s surgical method to stop bleeding or stop blood flow to unwanted areas (such as a tumor).  It can also be used as an alternative to surgery.  It is used in a variety of diseases in patients, including aneurysms, trauma, bleeding, vascular malformations, and cancer.  It is less-invasive than open surgery, and uses a device (metal coil, balloon, or chemical agent) that blocks blood flow through a specific vessel.  

Pre-Operative Details:

Your surgeon will give specific instructions before the surgery, including risks (i.e. bleeding, infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, etc.).  Please make sure to contact your insurance company for coverage.  You will also meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery to go over your medical history.  Please do not eat after midnight the night before your surgery.  On the day of surgery, you will arrive at the hospital, get registered, and get changed into a hospital gown.  A nurse will then review your chart to make sure there are no problems and then get all the paperwork in order for surgery.  The anesthesiologist will then start an IV and you will be taken to the operating room, where the surgeon will verify your name and procedure before any medication is given.  Once you are given a local anesthetic, surgery will begin.

Operative Details:

The surgeon will make a tiny incision in the groin area to access the femoral artery.  From there, he will create a conduit via a catheter (a thin tube) to allow the embolic device to be passed through the first catheter.  This device (on a second catheter) is guided to the target vessel with direct visualization through a video monitor and repetitive X-rays.  Once there, the embolic device is deployed: the metal coil is released, the balloon is inflated, or the chemical agent is released.  The catheters will be removed and the incision will be closed.

Post-Operative Details:

After the surgery, you will be taken to the post-operative/recovery area and be monitored.  You will likely experience pain and will given pain medication appropriately.  It is important to keep the incision areas clean and dry once the catheter is removed (with direct pressure applied 30min after removal).  The length of your hospital stay depends on how quickly you are able to recover and perform some physical activity.  If you experience fevers, severe pain, redness/swelling/warmth where the incisions were made, or drainage from the incisions, please let your doctor know immediately.  However, there is a condition called postembolization syndrome (pain/fever/nausea/vomiting/inability to eat) can occur and usually passes within a week.  Your surgeon will give specific instructions about recovery time.