Severe liver injuries; a case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Severe hepatic injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality (30%) and are challenging to manage (1). Liver injuries occur frequently following abdominal trauma. For example in a series of 48 patients who underwent laparotomy following trauma at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo (NHSL), 11 patients had liver injuries (22.9%). Most liver injuries can be managed non-operatively. In the case of surgical management, the focus is on damage control, packing, and vascular ligation and resection. Interventional radiological modalities are also used in the management (e.g. embolisation of the bleeding vessels). This report is on the outcome of patients who underwent liver resection following severe liver injuries.