Surgical Management of Liver Trauma

ABSTRACT

The management of blunt injuries to the liver still remains a significant challenge. The therapeutic options for liver trauma ranges from non-surgical management, surgical management and even to liver transplantation. Although a significant number of patients are treated non-surgically, most unstable patients require an immediate laparotomy. The preferred surgical techniques include resectional debridement, hepatotomy with direct suture ligation and perihepatic packing. In addition, an anatomical resection, hepatic artery ligation and various bypass techniques have a more defined role in selected injuries. This review discusses the various surgical options for unstable liver trauma patients.