Liver trauma (management in 105 consecutive cases)

One hundred and five consecutive patients who sustained liver trauma during the period from Jan 1986 to Dec 1988 are reviewed. Of these, 82 cases suffered from blunt abdominal injury while the rest had penetrating trauma. Simple hepatorrhaphy and use of topical hemostatic agents were the only modes of treatment for 76 cases, hepato-omentorrhaphy was used in 12 cases and hepatotomy with selective vascular ligation and resectional debridement were carried out in remaining 17 cases. Mortality was 36.2% (38/105), 30 patients died of shock in the perioperative period. Uncomplicated recovery occurred in 50 cases.