Outcome analysis of management of liver trauma: A 10-year experience at a trauma center

AIM: To review the outcomes of liver trauma in patients with hepatic injuries only and in patients with associated injuries outside the liver. METHODS: Data of liver trauma patients presented to our center from January 2003 to October 2013 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients who had hepatic injuries only. Group 2 consisted of patients who also had associated injuries outside the liver. RESULTS: Seven (30.4%) patients in group 1 and 10 (28.6%) patients in group 2 received non-operative management; the rest underwent operation. Blunt trauma occurred in 82.8% (48/58) of the patients and penetrative trauma in 17.2% (10/58). A higher injury severity score (ISS) was observed in group 2 (median 45 vs 25, P < 0.0001). More patients in group 1 were hemodynamically stable (65.2% vs 37.1%, P = 0.036). Other parameters were comparable between groups. Group 1 had better 30-d survival (91.3% vs 71.4%, P = 0.045). On multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model, ISS was found to be associated with mortality (P = 0.004, hazard ratio = 1.035, 95%CI: 1.011-1.060). CONCLUSION: Liver trauma patients with multiple injuries are relatively unstable on presentation. Despite a higher ISS in group 2, non-operative management was possible for selected patients. Associated injuries outside the liver usually account for morbidity and mortality.