title: Fatal hepatic hemorrhage: an unresolved problem in the management of complex liver injuries.
abstract: The operative records of 683 patients who required an exploratory laparotomy for trauma with the findings of a liver injury were reviewed. Of the 683 patients 18% (121) sustained severe liver injuries with difficult to control hemorrhage, and 82% of the deaths, in this group of severe liver injuries, were due to exsanguination. A critical analysis of the specific surgical techniques used for hemostasis was undertaken. Hepatotomy with subsequent direct vascular and/or biliary duct repair or ligation was used in 44% of the cases and was successful 87% of the time. Hepatic resection was employed in 10% of the cases with a 50% mortality. Liver packs were used in 29% of the cases which included 14 hepatic vein and six retrohepatic vena caval injuries and five extensive bilobar parenchymal disruptions. The survival rate for this group of patients was 86%. Vascular isolation of the liver was used 8.3% of the cases and was successful 40% of the time. An algorithm for the successful surgical control of hemorrhage from severe liver injuries including indications and contra-indications of specific surgical techniques is presented.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Beal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged