Background/aims: Non-operative management of hemodynamically stable trauma has proven successful; however laparotomy for hemodynamically unstable patients is still insufficient. We evaluated the results of treating blunt hepatic injury and appraised the appropriate surgical procedures.
Methodology: We analyzed the demographics, vital status, and severity of hepatic and concomitant organ injuries of 183 consecutive patients with blunt hepatic injuries between January 2001 and December 2008, retrospectively.
Results: Twenty five of 183 patients died before the treatment was selected. The initial management was operative for 24 and non-operative for 134, 15 of whom later required laparotomy. Of the 134 treated non-operatively, 2 died after arterial embolization for pelvic fractures. Twelve patients died postoperatively: 6 of the hepatic injury and 6 of concomitant organ injuries. Considering Liver Injury Scale of operated patients, there was no liver-related death with grades I-III; however, liver-related mortality of grades IV and V was 37.5%. The incidence of liver-related deaths after anatomical resection was 0% of patients with grade IV, but 50% of patients with grade V, despite anatomical resection being the only effective procedure for grade V.
Conclusions: The results of anatomical resection for grade IV is satisfactory, but additional strategies are still required for grade V.