Traumatic Isolated Right Lobe Devascularization of the Liver: An Unusual Case

Isolated liver lobe devascularization is a very rare case, with conflicting literature regarding management. We describe a very unusual case of traumatic isolated right lobe devascularization of the liver with its attendant management challenges. An eight-year-old boy with a history of road traffic accidents presented with abdominal pain. Although the child was hemodynamically stable on presentation, extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma was positive. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the torso revealed a nonenhancing right lobe of the liver involving segments 5-8 and the gross hemoperitoneum. Nonoperative management was tried. There were persistent high-grade fever spikes, for which prophylactic antibiotics were started, but the fever workup was negative. Abdominal drains were inserted to drain fluid and relieve distress. Output was noted to be bilious on day 21 of injury. Diagnostic laparoscopy on day 22 revealed hypertrophied left lobe of the liver with an absent (autolyzed) right lobe. The subsequent ward course was uneventful, and the child was discharged in stable condition. Thus, the indication of surgery in such cases is clinical deterioration, not radiological findings. Management should be in a dedicated trauma center with immediate operating room availability.