Operative and nonoperative management of blunt hepatic trauma in adults: a single-center report

Background/Purpose Liver trauma, especially that as result of road traffic accidents, still remains a complicated problem in severely injured patients. The aim of this study was to extract useful conclusions from the management in order to improve the final outcome of such patients. Methods Details for 86 patients with blunt hepatic trauma who were examined and treated in our department during a 6-year period were analyzed. We retrospectively reviewed the severity of liver injury, associated injuries, treatment, and outcome. Results Forty-nine liver injuries (57%) were of low severity (grades I and II), while 37 (43%) were of high severity (grades III, IV, and V). Liver trauma with associated injury of other organs was noted in 62 (72.1%) patients. Forty-three (50%) patients underwent an exploratory laparotomy within the first 24 h of admission. Thirty-five (71.4%) of the 49 patients with low-grade hepatic injuries were managed conservatively; no mortality occurred. Six (14%) of forty-three patients with liver trauma initially considered for conservative management required surgery due to hemodynamic instability. Five (13.5%) of 37 patients who were finally managed nonoperatively required adjunctive treatment for biloma, hematoma, or biliary leakage; no mortality occurred. The overall mortality rate was 9.3%; mortality rates of 5.8% and 3.5% were due to liver injuries and concomitant injuries, respectively. Conclusions Severe hepatic injuries require surgical intervention due to hemodynamic instability. Low-grade injuries can be managed nonoperatively with excellent results, while patients with hepatic trauma with associated organ injuries require surgery, because they continue to have significantly higher mortality.