DOCSLIB.ORG

The Management of Liver Trauma During the Past 40 Years, Haemorrhage Has Remained the Commonest Cause of Death

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Management of Liver Trauma During the Past 40 Years, Haemorrhage Has Remained the Commonest Cause of Death Postgrad Med J: first published as 10.1136/pgmj.61.714.289 on 1 April 1985. Downloaded from Postgraduate Medical Journal (1985) 61, 289-293 Review Article The management ofliver trauma R. Macfarlane University ofCambridge, Cambridge, UK. Summary: Despite advances in the management of liver trauma during the past 40 years, haemorrhage has remained the commonest cause of death. This article outlines the diversity of opinion between the desire to determine the extent ofdamage and resect devitalised tissue with its attendant risk of exacerbating haemorrhage, and the alternative of a more conservative approach. Introduction The incidence of both blunt and penetrating Assessment and resuscitation abdominal injury is steadily increasing, and the liver is copyright. one of the organs most commonly involved. De- The patient with exsanguinating intra-abdominal celerating injuries cause the liver to tort on its haemorrhage or a penetrating wound is rarely a peritoneal attachments often resulting in linear lacera- diagnostic problem, but some 30% of patients with tions, whilst crushing injuries to the right hypochon- liver injury are normotensive on admission with drium may inflict deep fissured lacerations (Walt, minimal abdominal signs, only to deteriorate 1974). Occasionally, sudden compression and expan- sometime over the following twelve hours (Walt, sion ruptures the parenchyma whilst the capsule 1974). In addition to peritonism and an increasing remains intact. Although some 50% of liver injuries abdominal girth, right lower rib fractures, clothing http://pmj.bmj.com/ are minor and require no active treatment (Lucas & pattern marks on the abdomen, or Kehr's sign (right Ledgerwood, 1976), extensive injuries continue to be a upper quadrant and shoulder tip pain) should raise major challenge to surgical skill. Associated trauma to suspicion of a liver injury. However, the severity of the hepatic veins or inferior vena cava is particularly insult is not a good guide to the extent of trauma grave, and these problems are compounded by the (Walt, 1980). Assessment may be difficult, particularly presence of injuries to other organs in 90% of cases where there is an associated head injury, and it should (Walt, 1974). Mortality relates not only to the extent be remembered that hypotension is rarely due to head on September 23, 2021 by guest. Protected of hepatic injury, but directly to the number of other injury alone. Chest and abdominal X-rays, although organs involved (Levin et al., 1978). essential, are seldom diagnostic, but abdominal Management has turned almost full circle in the past paracentesis is particularly useful in doubtful cases. 40 years; conservative measures adopted during Good resuscitation is of the utmost importance in World War II were associated with a poor prognosis determining morbidity and mortality after trauma. A (Madding et al., 1945) and led to the adoption ofmore well stocked bloodbank and an experienced anaesthet- radical methods (Foster et al., 1968; Ackroyd et al., ist are essential, and concomitant injuries to other 1969). However during this time haemorrhage re- structures should not be overlooked. Respiratory mained the commonest cause of death (Mays, 1976), distress syndrome and coagulopathy are common in and attention subsequently returned to more con- patients receiving massive transfusions, and blood servative measures (Levin et al., 1978; Walt, 1978). warmers and filters should therefore be used early, together with fresh frozen plasma and platelets, where R. Macfarlane, M.A., M.B., B.Chir. appropriate, to compensate for washout coagulo- Correspondence: 2, Mawson Road, Cambridge. CB1 2EA pathy (Clagett & Olsen, 1978). Accepted: 13 August 1984 If a patient with siis'ected liver injury is stable and C) The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine, 1985 Postgrad Med J: first published as 10.1136/pgmj.61.714.289 on 1 April 1985. Downloaded from 290 R. MACFARLANE abdominal girth is not increasing, management is Grade III conservative, but close observation for signs of de- terioration is necessary. Further investigation in the Initial control of haemorrhage may be achieved by form of ultrasound, liver-spleen scan or computerised temporary packing and occlusion of the porta hepatis tomography may be appropriate in some instances by the Pringle manoeuvre (Pringle, 1908). A warm (Athey & Rahman, 1982; Evans et al., 1976; Lutzker & ischaemic time of up to an hour is considered accepta- Chun, 1981). ble (Huguet et al., 1978). Visualisation ofthe source of Evidence of continuing bleeding will require bleeding may be difficult if the dome of the liver is laparotomy, and wherever possible this should be involved, and failure to achieve control by the Pringle delayed until the haemodynamic state is stable. Bleed- manoeuvre indicates the possibility of major venous ing into the closed abdomen tamponades the source in injury. Having gained control, definitive steps may be most cases thus allowing some resuscitation, whereas taken for more permanent haemostasis, but it is here early surgery may prolong the period of hypotension that opinion is diverse, and any decision must take into with irretrievable consequences. Early surgery in hy- account the state of the patient and the experience of potensive patients significantly increases mortality the surgeon. There are several options: (Neely, 1977). (1) Basic surgical principles favour debridement of non-viable tissue, local haemostasis by suture ligation, followed by closure of deadspace either by deep Surgical management sutures or the use of a viable omental pack (Stone & Lamb, 1975; Pachter et al., 1983). However the risk is Because haemorrhage is the commonest cause ofearly of provoking further haemorrhage, and some reports death following liver trauma, and extensive surgical suggest that lack ofdebridement does not significantly procedures carry the highest mortality, it is suggested increase morbidity (Lucas, 1976). that the objective in the first instance should be to do (2) Local control can often be achieved by deep sutures the minimum to control the bleeding. This will allow a and closure over collagen buttons. It too has been further period of resuscitation before definitive treat- criticised on the grounds ofleaving a closed deadspace ment is undertaken as a semi-elective procedure and thereby predisposing to haematoma formation, (Calne et al., 1979). This however is only appropriate secondary haemorrhage, or liver abcess (Olsen, 1982).copyright. where some form of adequate haemostasis has been In practice this is uncommon (Mays, 1976). achieved in the first instance. (3) Selective ligation of the hepatic artery may be The line oftreatment followed will depend upon the required in addition to the above, providing that trial extent of damage, but there is no single accepted occlusion has been successful (Aaron et al., 1975). It classification (Table I). should be remembered that anomalous origin ofeither hepatic artery is not uncommon. Although doing Grades I & II nothing to control bleeding from retrograde flow in http://pmj.bmj.com/ hepatic veins, venous haemorrhage may often be The majority of these are not actively bleeding at the subsequently controlled by tamponade (Mays et al., time of surgery, and no further action is necessary. 1979), and this procedure has been widely used with When suturing is required, deep, tight sutures should good results (Foster et al., 1968; Flint et al., 1977). be avoided in preference to precise placement in order Rearterialization of the liver occurs rapidly via to avoid devitalizing tissue and encouraging secondary collaterals (Mays & Wheeler, 1974; Koehler et al., sepsis. Most surgeons drain these injuries, although 1975), and hepatic necrosis is extremely rare (Lucas & this has been criticized as both unnecessary and Ledgerwood, 1978; Flint & Polk, 1979). on September 23, 2021 by guest. Protected predisposing to retrograde infection (Fischer et al., (4) Packing, although widely criticized in the past 1978). (Madding et al., 1945), can be a life-saving procedure (Feliciano et al., 1981; Svoboda et al., 1982). If the above measures have failed to control haemorrhage, Table I Classification of liver injury lobectomy is the only thing likely to save the patient, but even in the best of hands carries a 50% mortality Grade I Capsular tear with no parenchymal et damage (Trunkey al., 1974; Walt, 1978). This figure may be Grade II Parenchymal damage responding to sim- considerably higher when performed on the critically ple haemostatic measures ill patient by an inexperienced surgeon. Packing the Grade III Parenchymal damage with major arterial injury for a period of48-72 hours not only allows for or venous haemorrhage a period of stabilization, but also transfer to a Grade IV Extensive parenchymal damage specialized unit if required. Often the packs can be associated with injury to major hepatic removed without the need for further intervention, but veins or retrohepatic inferior vena cava facilities must be at hand to proceed to major resection Postgrad Med J: first published as 10.1136/pgmj.61.714.289 on 1 April 1985. Downloaded from THE MANAGEMENT OF LIVER TRAUMA 291 (Calne et al., 1982). Packing is not appropriate for their onset may be delayed and insidious. transferring a patient if the bleeding has not been Hypoglycaemia, although rare, may be encountered controlled. The patient is likely to exsanguinate before after lobectomy, and such cases should have a 10% lobectomy can be achieved by an experienced surgeon dextrose
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Resident Abstracts
    2017 ACP Colorado Chapter Residents’ Meeting May 16, 2017 Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Resident Abstracts Presented: May 16, 2017 2017 ACP Colorado Chapter Residents’ Meeting- May 16, 2017– Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado Name: Jacob Ludwig, DO Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Residency Program: Saint Joseph Hospital Additional Authors: Abstract Title: Pharming Abstract Information: Case Study: YK is a 19 y/o female with intractable seizures who presented to the epilepsy-monitoring unit for further evaluation after failing to respond to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. YK’s neurological issues began at 15 y/o, which included tremor, difficulty concentrating and episodic involuntary limb/torso movements. These movements progressed after starting high school often triggered by studying, focusing, reading or playing piano. At age 18, YK began complaining of worsening insomnia and depression, and her father began noticing focal seizures that would progress into generalized bilateral convulsions with loss of consciousness. YK’s father noted that the seizures often occurred around the 20th of every month despite increasing doses of Levetiracetam. At age 19, YK’s seizures became more frequent and she experienced worsening of symptoms that included colorful visual hallucinations. Her insomnia and depression were treated with amitriptyline and her AED medications were changed to Lamotrigine and Topiramate. But her seizures continued to be refractory despite increased AED doses. YK then presented to the epilepsy-monitoring unit for further work-up. Throughout the first day of monitoring, she suffered numerous brief seizures, periods of hemodynamic instability, and had a negative lamotrigine serum drug level. On hospital day 2 she had a prolonged seizure aborted with ativan.
    [Show full text]
  • Spontaneous Apoptosis of Cells in Therapeutic Stem Cell Preparation Exert Immunomodulatory Effects Through Release of Phosphatidylserine
    Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy www.nature.com/sigtrans ARTICLE OPEN Spontaneous apoptosis of cells in therapeutic stem cell preparation exert immunomodulatory effects through release of phosphatidylserine Xuemei He1,2, Weiqi Hong 1, Jingyun Yang1, Hong Lei1, Tianqi Lu1, Cai He1, Zhenfei Bi1, Xiangyu Pan1, Yu Liu1, Lunzhi Dai 1, Wei Wang 1, Canhua Huang 1, Hongxin Deng1 and Xiawei Wei 1 Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated immunomodulation has been harnessed for the treatment of human diseases, but its underlying mechanism has not been fully understood. Dead cells, including apoptotic cells have immunomodulatory properties. It has been repeatedly reported that the proportion of nonviable MSCs in a MSC therapeutic preparation varied from 5~50% in the ongoing clinical trials. It is conceivable that the nonviable cells in a MSC therapeutic preparation may play a role in the therapeutic effects of MSCs. We found that the MSC therapeutic preparation in the present study had about 5% dead MSCs (DMSCs), characterized by apoptotic cells. Namely, 1 × 106 MSCs in the preparation contained about 5 × 104 DMSCs. We found that the treatment with even 5 × 104 DMSCs alone had the equal therapeutic effects as with 1 × 106 MSCs. This protective effect of the dead MSCs alone was confirmed in four mouse models, including concanavalin A (ConA)- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury, LPS-induced lung injury and spinal cord injury. We also found that the infused MSCs died by apoptosis in vivo. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect was attributed to the elevated level of phosphatidylserine (PS) upon the injection of MSCs or 1234567890();,: DMSCs.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance for Industry Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Premarketing Clinical Evaluation, Final, July 2009
    Guidance for Industry Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Premarketing Clinical Evaluation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) July 2009 Drug Safety Guidance for Industry Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Premarketing Clinical Evaluation Additional copies are available from: Office of Communications, Division of Drug Information Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, rm. 2201 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002 Tel: 301-796-3400; Fax: 301-847-8714; E-mail: [email protected] http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm or Office of Communication, Outreach, and Development, HFM-40 Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448 Tel: 800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800 http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/default.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) July 2009 Drug Safety TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 II. BACKGROUND: DILI ................................................................................................... 2 III. SIGNALS OF DILI AND HY’S
    [Show full text]
  • Right Diaphragmatic Injury and Lacerated Liver During a Penetrating
    Agrusa et al. World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2014, 9:33 http://www.wjes.org/content/9/1/33 WORLD JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY SURGERY REVIEW Open Access Right diaphragmatic injury and lacerated liver during a penetrating abdominal trauma: case report and brief literature review Antonino Agrusa*, Giorgio Romano, Daniela Chianetta, Giovanni De Vita, Giuseppe Frazzetta, Giuseppe Di Buono, Vincenzo Sorce and Gaspare Gulotta Abstract Introduction: Diaphragmatic injuries are rare consequences of thoracoabdominal trauma and they often occur in association with multiorgan injuries. The diaphragm is a difficult anatomical structure to study with common imaging instruments due to its physiological movement. Thus, diaphragmatic injuries can often be misunderstood and diagnosed only during surgical procedures. Diagnostic delay results in a high rate of mortality. Methods: We report the management of a clinical case of a 45-old man who came to our observation with a stab wound in the right upper abdomen. The type or length of the knife used as it was extracted from the victim after the fight. CT imaging demonstrated a right hemothorax without pulmonary lesions and parenchymal laceration of the liver with active bleeding. It is observed hemoperitoneum and subdiaphragmatic air in the abdomen, as a bowel perforation. A complete blood count check revealed a decrease in hemoglobin (7 mg/dl), and therefore it was decided to perform surgery in midline laparotomy. Conclusion: In countries with a low incidence of inter-personal violence, stab wound diaphragmatic injury is particularly rare, in particular involving the right hemidiaphragm. Diaphragmatic injury may be underestimated due to the presence of concomitant lesions of other organs, to a state of shock and respiratory failure, and to the difficulty of identifying diaphragmatic injuries in the absence of high sensitivity and specific diagnostic instruments.
    [Show full text]
  • Hepatic Trauma Treatment in a General Hospital: Analysis of 5.5 Years
    Journal of Liver Research, Disorders & Therapy Research Article Open Access Hepatic trauma treatment in a general hospital: analysis of 5.5 years Abstract Volume 4 Issue 4 - 2018 Introduction: Liver damage occurs in 20% of closed abdominal traumas but damage Guillermo Padrón Arredondo of the liver alone without involving other organs occurs only in 10%. General Surgeon, Playa Del Carmen General Hospital, Mexico Material and method: A retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 5.5 years (2013-2018) in a general hospital where Correspondence: Guillermo Padrón Arredondo, Surgery Service of the Playa Del Carmen General Hospital all patients admitted to shock or emergency services with a diagnosis of abdominal Av. Constituyentes s/n c/Av. 135 Colonia Ejido, Playa del trauma were included, there were no exclusion criteria. Carmen, Quintana Roo, México, CP, 77712, Results: We treated 12 patients with abdominal trauma and liver damage, ten of the Email male sex and two of the female sex; nine stable patients and three patients with shock Received: September 10, 2018 | Published: November 21, status; nine cases for open abdominal trauma and three for closed trauma; eight with 2018 abdominal trauma and four with abdominal-thoracic trauma; seven caused by a knife, three cases by automobile accidents, one case by firearm and one case by fall; two cases with admission to the Intensive Care Unit. Six cases were classified as Grade I liver injury and six with Grade III. Discussion: There are two ways to approach these patients, anatomical resection and non-anatomical resection and approximately 80 to 90% are not candidates for surgery.
    [Show full text]
  • Iatrogenic Pulmonary Fat Embolism After Surgery in a Patient with Fatty Liver
    Page 340 VOJNOSANITETSKI PREGLED Vojnosanit Pregl 2020; 77(3): 340–343. CASE REPORT UDC: 616.136-089.06 https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP171224069M Iatrogenic pulmonary fat embolism after surgery in a patient with fatty liver Jatrogena masna embolija pluća posle hirurške intervencije kod bolesnika sa masnom jetrom Dragan Mitrović*, Svetlana Lazarević† University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, *Institute of Pathology, Belgrade, Serbia; †Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery “Banjica”, Belgrade, Serbia Abstract Apstrakt Introduction. Fat embolism refers to the presence of fat Uvod. Masna embolija je prisustvo masnih kapi u plućnoj i globules in the lung parenchyma and its peripheral circula- perifernoj cirkulaciji. Kada se prevaziđu kompenzatorne tion. Obstruction of the lung vessels by fat emboli can lead mogućnosti plućne cirkulacije, njena opstrukcija masnim to acute cor pulmonale when the compensatory capabilities of kapima može dovesti do akutnog plućnog srca. Prikaz bo- the pulmonary vasculature are exceeded. Case report. We lesnika. Prikazan je muškarac, star 78 godina kod koga je presented a case of a 78-year old man who suffered a dissec- došlo do disekcije aneurizme trbušne aorte. Učinjena je hit- tion of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Urgent surgical proce- na hirurška intervencija – aorto-bifemoralno premošćenje dure was performed and aneurysm replaced with aorto- dakronskim graftom. Uprkos primenjenim merama lečenja bifemoral bypass grafting using a Dacron graft. Despite the smrtni ishod nastupio je sledećeg dana. Obdukcijom je procedure
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis After Blunt Liver Injury
    Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2014;18:97-100 http://dx.doi.org/10.14701/kjhbps.2014.18.3.97 Case Report Management of inferior vena cava thrombosis after blunt liver injury Kyung-Yun Kim, Byung-Jun So, and Dong-Eun Park Department of Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis after traumatic liver injury is an extremely rare condition, and only 12 cases have been reported in the English literature since 1911. We report a case of a 26-year-old man who presented with IVC thrombosis after blunt liver injury. IVC thrombosis was incidentally detected by computed tomography 15 days after con- servative management of blunt liver injury. The patient denied any symptoms of thrombophlebitis and did not have any evidence of hypercoagulable state. We placed an IVC filter via the right jugular vein and started the anticoagulation treatment. The patient recovered successfully without operative treatment and IVC thrombosis disappeared completely two months later. We suggest that that the possibility of IVC thrombosis should be considered in patients with a large hematoma of the liver, which may cause compression of the IVC. (Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2014;18:97-100) Key Words: Liver injury, Hematoma, Inferior vena cava, Thrombosis INTRODUCTION tion was unremarkable and the findings of the initial blood tests were as follows: hemoglobin 15.0 g/dl, white Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis after hepatic trau- blood cell count 8,130/mm3, platelet count 192,000/mm3, ma is an extremely rare condition, and only 12 cases have aspartate transaminase 491 IU/L, alanine transaminase 495 been reported in the English literature since 1911.1-8 IU/L, amylase 62 IU/L, and lipase 82 IU/L.
    [Show full text]
  • Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI): Current Status and Future Directions for Drug Development and the Post-Market Setting
    Drug-induced liver injury (DILI): Current status and future directions for drug development and the post-market setting A consensus by a CIOMS Working Group Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) Geneva 2020 Drug-induced liver injury (DILI): Current status and future directions for drug development and the post-market setting A consensus by a CIOMS Working Group Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) Geneva 2020 Copyright © 2020 by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) ISBN: 978-929036099-5 All rights reserved. CIOMS publications may be obtained directly from CIOMS through its publications e-module at https://cioms.ch/publications/. Further information can be obtained from CIOMS, P.O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, tel.: +41 22 791 6497, www.cioms.ch, e-mail: [email protected]. CIOMS publications are also available through the World Health Organization, WHO Press, 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. This publication is freely available on the CIOMS website at: https://cioms.ch/publications/product/drug-induced-liver-injury/ Suggested citation: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI): Current status and future directions for drug development and the post-market setting. A consensus by a CIOMS Working Group. Geneva, Switzerland: Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), 2020. Note on style: This publication uses the World Health Organization’s WHO style guide, 2nd Edition, 2013 (WHO/KMS/WHP/13.1) wherever possible for spelling, punctuation, terminology and formatting. The WHO style guide combines British and American English conventions. Disclaimer: The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication, and those views do not necessarily represent the decisions, policies or views of their respective institutions or companies.
    [Show full text]
  • WSES Classification and Guidelines for Liver Trauma Federico Coccolini1*, Fausto Catena2, Ernest E
    Coccolini et al. World Journal of Emergency Surgery (2016) 11:50 DOI 10.1186/s13017-016-0105-2 REVIEW Open Access WSES classification and guidelines for liver trauma Federico Coccolini1*, Fausto Catena2, Ernest E. Moore3, Rao Ivatury4, Walter Biffl5, Andrew Peitzman6, Raul Coimbra7, Sandro Rizoli8, Yoram Kluger9, Fikri M. Abu-Zidan10, Marco Ceresoli1, Giulia Montori1, Massimo Sartelli11, Dieter Weber12, Gustavo Fraga13, Noel Naidoo14, Frederick A. Moore15, Nicola Zanini16 and Luca Ansaloni1 Abstract The severity of liver injuries has been universally classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grading scale. In determining the optimal treatment strategy, however, the haemodynamic status and associated injuries should be considered. Thus the management of liver trauma is ultimately based on the anatomy of the injury and the physiology of the patient. This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) classification of liver trauma and the management Guidelines. Keywords: Liver trauma, Minor, Moderate, Severe, Classification, Guidelines, Surgery, Hemorrage, Operative management, Non-operative management Background associated injuries, and less on the AAST liver injury The severity of liver injuries is universally classified ac- grade. Moreover, in some situations patients conditions cording to the American Association for the Surgery of lead to an emergent transfer to the operating room (OR) Trauma (AAST) grading scale (Table 1) [1]. The major- without the opportunity to define the grade of liver lesions ity of patients admitted for liver injuries have grade I, II before the surgical exploration; thus confirming the pri- or III and are successfully treated with nonoperative mary importance of the patient’s overall clinical condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Penetrating Liver Injuries in Children
    PENETRATING LIVER INJURIES IN CHILDREN Ceri Elbourne, Jessica Ng, Katy Khoo, Hannah Thompson, Stewart Cleeve Paediatric Surgery/ Trauma Service, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust (Accepted for presentation at BAPS International Congress 2017, London) Aims Guidelines for blunt solid organ injury are well described for children. There is a paucity of evidence for the management of penetrating solid abdominal organ injury (PSAOI) in children. We present our experience in the management of penetrating liver injury in children. Methods A retrospective review of patients aged <16 years who sustained PSAOI was carried out using a prospectively maintained database of major trauma activations at our centre between 2007 and 2016. Data collected included: patient demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI), concurrent injuries, investigations, management, outcome, complications, length of stay and mortality. Results 99 children sustained penetrating injuries to the abdomen over the last 10 years. 11 patients suffered penetrating liver injury (other PSAOI include 4 renal, 0 spleen). 10 (91%) were male, median 15 years (range 2-15). MOI: stab (10/11; 91%) and gunshot wound (1/11; 9%). Median ISS 9.5 (range 4-29). Median grade of liver injury AAST 3 (range 1-4). All patients suffered concurrent injuries and most patients (n=9; 82%) required surgical intervention. 1 (8%) patient required laparotomy for active bleeding from liver injury (Figure 1). 1 suffered pre-hospital traumatic cardiac arrest and died in ED (mortality rate 1/11; 8%). 5 (50%) required PICU admission with median length of stay 2 days. Median length of total inpatient stay was 6 days (3-46).
    [Show full text]
  • Elevated Liver Enzymes
    ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES Eric F. Martin, MD Transplant Hepatology Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine Medical Director of Living Donor Liver Transplant University of Miami ~ Miami Transplant Institute Financial Disclosures • None Objectives 1. Identify the components of the liver biochemistry profile and understand their meaning if abnormal 2. Identify and understand the significance of the true liver function test “LFTs” 3. Develop a differential diagnosis for abnormal liver biochemistries, including AST and/or ALT >1000 4. Follow an organized approach to evaluate abnormal liver biochemistries Introduction • Evaluation of abnormal liver enzymes in an otherwise healthy patient may pose challenge to most experienced clinician • May not be necessary to pursue extensive evaluation for all abnormal tests, due to unnecessary expenses and procedural risks • On the other hand, failure to investigate mild or moderate liver enzyme abnormalities could mean missing the early diagnosis of potentially life- threatening, but otherwise treatable conditions • Liver enzymes are readily available and included in many routine labs • Estimated that 1%-9% of asymptomatic patients have elevated liver enzyme levels when screened with standard “liver function panels” • All persistent elevations of liver enzymes require methodical evaluation and appropriate working diagnosis Am J Gastroenterol 2017;12:18-35 Introduction • The following tests are recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) and the National Academy of Clinical
    [Show full text]
  • Nonoperative Management of Blunt Hepatic Injury: an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Practice Management Guideline
    GUIDELINE Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injury: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline Nicole A. Stassen, MD, Indermeet Bhullar, MD, Julius D. Cheng, MD, Marie Crandall, MD, Randall Friese, MD, Oscar Guillamondegui, MD, Randeep Jawa, MD, Adrian Maung, MD, Thomas J. Rohs, Jr, MD, Ayodele Sangosanya, MD, Kevin Schuster, MD, Mark Seamon, MD, Kathryn M. Tchorz, MD, Ben L. Zarzuar, MD, and Andrew Kerwin, MD BACKGROUND: During the last century, the management of blunt force trauma to the liver has changed from observation and expectant management in the early part of the 1900s to mainly operative intervention, to the current practice of selective operative and nonoperative management. These issues were first addressed by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma in the Practice Management Guidelines for Nonoperative Management of Blunt Injury to the Liver and Spleen published online in 2003. Since that time, a large volume of literature on these topics has been published requiring a reevaluation of the previous Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma guideline. METHODS: The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health MEDLINE database were searched using PubMed (www.pubmed.gov). The search was designed to identify English-language citations published after 1996 (the last year included in the previous guideline) using the keywords liver injury and blunt abdominal trauma. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six articles were reviewed, of which 94 were used to create the current practice management guideline for the selective nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injury. CONCLUSION: Most original hepatic guidelines remained valid and were incorporated into the greatly expanded current guidelines as appropriate.
    [Show full text]