Management of traumatic liver injuries

In this series 90 patients with liver injury with variable severity were studied; 50 retrospectively [1985-1990] were reviewed and 40 prospectively [1990-1995] were reviewed and 40 prospectively [1991-1995] were managed according to special protocol. Surgical intervention was performed in unstable patients and nonoperative treatment was used for those who were hemodynamically stable on admission. Increasing experience resulted in fewer indications for resection in the prospective group and the nonoperative management rate was 37%. The overall mortality rate was 13% [16% in the retrospective and 10% in the prospective group]