title: Evaluation of the healing time of non-operatively managed liver injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post discharge prescriptions and follow-up protocols after non-operative treatment of blunt liver injuries are still controversial. The aim of this study was to detail the evolution of the hepatic injuries considering their different patterns and severity grades, stated by the Liver Injury Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of a database concerning 79 consecutive patients submitted to ultrasound follow-up until complete recovery of liver injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had an uncomplicated course and the liver restoration was demonstrated between 3 and 300 days after the trauma. The median healing time of hematomas increased with the grading (p<0.001): 6 days (IQR=6.75), 45.5 days (IQR=91) and 108 days (IQR=89) for I, II and III grade lesions, respectively. Similarly behaved the lacerations and 29 days (IQR=14.25), 34 days (IQR=43.5) and 77.5 days (IQR=83.5) was the median healing time of II, III and IV grade lesions, statistical significance emerging only comparing II to IV grade lacerations (p<0.035). Considering the different lesion patterns within the same severity grade, the liver restoration was more prompt after lacerations (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that medical prescriptions and follow-up protocols can be tailored considering the lesion characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Brescia University, Brescia, Italy. guido.tiberio@libero.it
authors.forename: Guido Alberto Massimo
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tiberio
authors.forename: Nazario
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Portolani
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coniglio
authors.forename: Tullio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Piardi
authors.forename: Sara Elisabetta
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dester
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cerea
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parrinello
authors.forename: Stefano Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Giulini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D022125:Lacerations / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy