TRAUMATIC HYPOGASTRIC ARTERY BLEEDING CONTROLLED WITH BIPOLAR DESICCATION DURING OPERATIVE LAPAROSCOPY

During multipuncture operative laparoscopy to excise peritoneal endome triosis involving the pelvic sidewall near the origin of the uterine a rtery, the lower portion of the hypogastric artery was perforated. The acute hemorrhage was controlled by immediately grasping the lacerated blood vessel with a 5-mm atraumatic grasping forceps. A Kleppinger bi polar forceps set at 25 W desiccated and sealed the artery successfull y. As no further bleeding was noted, the procedure was terminated. The patient remained overnight for observation, and was discharged from t he hospital the next day. She is doing well 18 months after the injury and repair.