Intermittent use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in penetrating gunshot wound of the lower extremity

Summary: The use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in penetrating injuries is an emerging adjunct in the civilian trauma surgeon’s toolbox for the management of traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, within the Canadian civilian context, little has been reported with regard to its use as an assisted damage-control measure in vascular reconstruction of the lower extremity. We report a case of penetrating gunshot injury of the lower extremity where the preoperative deployment of REBOA had a remarkable positive impact in the resuscitation phase and the intraoperative control of blood loss. A description of the procedure and the advantage gained from REBOA are discussed.