Descending Aorta Finger Clamping to Control Intra-Abdominal Bleeding Due to Rupture of Anterior Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm

Background: Open aortic cross-clamping via a resuscitative left thoracotomy is effective in maintaining adequate blood pressure in patients with abdominal bleeding until achieving hemostasis. However, the procedure to encircle the descending aorta to secure cross-clamping is technically demanding for general surgeons, especially in emergency situations. Case Presentation: We report a case of rupture of the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with median arcuate ligament syndrome, which required surgical hemostasis. Because of severe hypotension after laparotomy, open aortic cross-clamping with a left thoracotomy was performed by general surgeons. However, the aortic clamps repeatedly slipped off because the clamping was conducted without encircling the aorta. Then, we attempted finger clamping of the descending aorta, and the blood pressure was quite effectively stabilized. Conclusion: Descending aorta finger clamping via a resuscitative left thoracotomy is easy and feasible and might be an effective procedure to maintain adequate blood pressure for general surgeons.