Intraluminal balloon catheter occlusion for major vena cava injuries.

Obtaining control of bleeding inferior vena caval (IVC) lacerations poses problems such as iatrogenic tears with vascular clamps and/or increased blood loss due to dissection and mobilization. We present three cases where balloon catheters were introduced through the laceration proximally and distally to obtain control of bleeding followed by repair with very minimal further dissection. All patients survived. This technique is recommended for rapid, effective control of such injuries.