TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1994//
TI  - Civilian low velocity gunshot wounds of the liver
JO  - European journal of surgery, The
A1  - Leppäniemi, A. K.
A1  - Salo, J. A.
A1  - Haapiainen, R. K.
SP  - 663
EP  - 668
VL  - 160
IS  - 12
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the management of hepatic gunshot wounds. DESIGN: Retrospective study of medical records. SETTING: University department of surgery, Finland. SUBJECTS: 38 patients admitted with hepatic gunshot wounds confirmed at operation. INTERVENTIONS: Laparotomy in all cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 35 low velocity bullet wounds of the liver, 23 (66%) were severe, but 34 (97%) could be managed with simple operative techniques. Two of the three shotgun injuries were at point-blank range, and one required lobectomy. Four patients (11%) died, and in all cases haemorrhage from associated cardiovascular injuries was a major contributing factor. Postoperative morbidity after bullet wounds was 57%, including two local hepatic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Simple operative repairs are sufficient and safe in most patients with low velocity bullet wounds of the liver. Associated injuries are the main cause of postoperative mortality and morbidity. Point-blank shotgun injuries involving the liver are not necessarily fatal.<p /> <p>Language: en</p> 
LA  - en
SN  - 1102-4151
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -