TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Management of hepatic trauma: a 9-year experience in 's-Hertogenbosch
JO  - Acta chirurgica Belgica
A1  - van Vugt, R.
A1  - Bosscha, K.
A1  - Olsman, J.
A1  - Jager, G. J.
A1  - de Jager, C. P. Canter
SP  - 42
EP  - 46
VL  - 109
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: In patients who sustain abdominal trauma the liver is the most frequently injured organ. Although treatment for haemodynamically unstable patients remains urgent surgery, there has been a shift of management in haemodynamacally stable patients towards non-operative management. We performed an outcome assessment of traumatic hepatic injury. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to assess incidence, mechanisms, management and outcome of traumatic liver injury in the region of 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, in the period 1999-2007. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were identified. Thirty-six patients had blunt hepatic trauma, eleven sustained penetrating hepatic injury. In 67% (n = 24) of the blunt hepatic trauma patients the initial intention was to treat non-operatively. Yet, two patients underwent explorative laparotomy after one and two days. In the penetrating liver trauma patients, 91% (n = 10) underwent urgent surgery. In total, 31 of 47 patients were treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Blunt hepatic trauma is the most common cause of hepatic trauma. Most patients sustaining hepatic trauma can be managed conservatively at a dedicated ICU and/or surgical trauma ward.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0001-5458
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -