[Surgical treatment of liver injury--5-year experience]

Due to improved methods of treatment and management of hemorrhage, the mortality from liver injuries has decreased significantly over the past few decades. In spite of that, liver injuries still represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This retrospective study included 197 patients surgically treated because of trauma of the liver at The Clinic for Emergency Surgery, during the period 2004-2009. The results showed significant difference in mortality rates in cases of penetrating wounds compared to blunt trauma and gunshot wounds. The severity of injury evaluated by Organ Injury Scale was significantly higher in gunshot wounds compared to blunt and penetrating trauma. The correlation of severity of injuries and mortality rates showed that the mortality is significantly lower in patients with grade 1, 2, and 3 injuries compared to grades 4 and 5 (p = 0.016). Specific complication rate was 28.4%, while mortality rate was 21.8%. The results reflect diagnostic and treatment problems, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary approach to the patients with liver trauma.