title: [Epidemiology of liver injuries in 14 district, urban, regional and canton hospitals in Switzerland].
abstract: 224 patients with liver injuries treated in 14 District and Regional Hospitals over a 10-year period were retrospectively evaluated. The results were compared to those obtained in 175 patients referred to the Central University Clinic "Inselspital", Berne/Switzerland. In all cases the degree of multiple trauma was assessed by the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the severity of the liver injury by a Liver Injury Score (modified after MOORE). Blunt injury to the abdomen as a result of road traffic accidents, accidents at work or sporting misadventures were responsible for about 80% of all liver injuries. Peritoneal lavage was the main special investigation and was reliable in the diagnosis of haemoperitoneum. Abdominal ultrasonography proved of additional value. It allowed in experienced hands not only the diagnosis of liver injury but also some assessment of the severity of injury. Additional injuries to other abdominal organs can be assessed. By utilizing abdominal ultrasonography (or computed-tomography) liver trauma were managed conservatively in selected stable patients with minor injuries. The overall mortality was 17% in the 224 patients and compares well with the international figures. The results of treatment revealed a low mortality for liver injuries Grades I to III, whether managed in a District or Regional Hospital or in the Central University Clinic. For more severe injuries (Grades IV or V) the prognosis was worse in the District or Regional Hospitals than in the Central University Clinic. 20% of patients with liver injury Grades I to III in stable circulatory condition could be treated conservatively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Viszerale und Transplantationschirurgie, Inselspital Bern.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Blumgart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
vernacular_title: Epidemiologie der Leberverletzungen von 14 Bezirks-, Stadt-, Regional- und Kantonsspitälern der Schweiz.