ANALYSIS OF 200 CASES OF LIVER TRAUMA: PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Aim: The liver is the most commonly injured abdominal organ in both blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Liver injuries may cause substantial mortality and morbidity and optimal management of complex injuries is controversial. We aimed to review the management and outcome of liver injuries with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of current methods of treatment. Methods: Prospective study included 200 patients with liver injuries were treated during the 52 months period at Al-thawra teaching Hospital, Sana a. Demographic, clinical and operative data, causes, liver injury grade, associated injuries, method of management, length of stay,transfusion requirements, complications and death were analyzed. Results: One hundred nineteen patients (59.5%) had blunt trauma, while 81 patients (40.5%) suffered from penetrating injuries. Most of the patients (89%) underwent operation and only 11% of the patients treated nonoperatively. Liver injury grades were, grade I, 21, grade II, 67, grade III, 52, grade IV, 42 and grade V, 11. Three hundred eighty two associated injuries occurred in 141 patients and the commonest organs affected were, chest (56 injuries) and stomach (44 injuries).The overall mortality was 23.5% (47 patients) and 73 complications occurred in 30.5% (61 patients). Conclusion: Prevention of trauma itself should be a goal and early recognition of the magnitude of complex injuries and access to a tertiary facility are now regarded as essential requirements in the management of major injuries