[Problems in emergency surgery: ligation of the hepatic artery]

Reference is made to the literature data and a personal series for the proposal of ligation of hepatic artery as a useful means of controlling: 1) massive haemorrhage following certain forms of liver trauma; 2) haemorrhage following lobectomy or atypical subtotal resection; 3) post-traumatic haemobilia. It is a valuable alternative to lobar resection which, in spite of its over 50% mortality, is still the treatment of choice in serious lesions, especially if these are associated with lesions of the suprahepatic veins or cava, or massive crushing of the parenchima. Haemorrhagic shock following liver damage is usually met by reduced portal and increased hepatic artery flow. It is obvious that ligation of the hepatic artery leads to considerable ischaemia and hypoxia. This disadvantage can only be offset by massive replacement transfusions, protracted parenteral feeding (fasting leads to maximum oxygenation of the portal blood), and intravenous glucagone, to improve the overall liver blood flow and the oxygen saturation of the portal blood.