title: The operative and nonoperative management of blunt liver injury.
abstract: The surgical approach to liver injury depends on a clear and concise characterization of the wound. Blunt trauma can produce devastating wounds that disrupt hepatic venous drainage. Atrial caval shunting remains a useful technique for Grade V liver wounds. Liver packing may be necessary if diffuse lobar injury, acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulapathy are present. The general surgeon must have a wide array of surgical options that can be used for various combinations of injury. This article proposes that operatively identified retrohepatic hematomas, which remain unchanged after a period of observation, should be left undisturbed. Data supporting this approach, from a series of cases managed nonoperatively, are presented.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30335.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*