TRAUMATIC HYPOGASTRIC ARTERY BLEEDING CONTROLLED WITH BIPOLAR DESICCATION DURING OPERATIVE LAPAROSCOPY

During multipuncture operative laparoscopy to excise peritoneal endometriosis involving the pelvic sidewall near the origin of the uterine artery, 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 bipolar forceps set at 25 W desiccated and sealed the artery successfully. As no further bleeding was noted, the procedure was terminated. The patient remained overnight for observation, and was discharged from the hospital the next day. She is doing well 18 months after the injury and repair.