Extrahepatic duct injury in blunt trauma: two case reports and a literature review.

Traumatic injuries of the extrahepatic biliary tract are rare. Associated injuries are usually responsible for immediate indication for surgical treatment, the time when an injury to the extrahepatic biliary ducts may be diagnosed. However, missed injuries are often common. The primary aim of this paper is to describe the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of two patients with left hepatic duct injury after blunt abdominal trauma. As a secondary objective, a literature review is presented. The two cases presented in this study are as follows: (1) A young male, involved in a motor vehicle crash, was admitted with blunt hepatic trauma in a general hospital. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was conducted 3 weeks later and revealed a large leakage at the left hepatic duct. Exploratory laparotomy was performed 26 days after the initial traumatic event and identified a complete section of the left hepatic duct, treated with anastomosis. (2) A male fell from a height. On exploratory laparotomy, a 30 % partial injury of the left hepatic duct was found in addition to hemoperitoneum, liver injury, gallbladder detachment together with cystic duct rupture, retroperitoneal hematoma to the right, and cecum hematoma. A high level of suspicion is necessary to identify injuries to the hepatic ducts. Early diagnosis that occurs during laparotomy due to associated injuries is important to reduce complications.

Nonoperative management of splenic injury grade IV is safe using rigid protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the protocol and experience of our service in the nonoperative management (NOM) of grade IV blunt splenic injuries. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on trauma registry of a university hospital between 1990-2010. Charts of all patients with splenic injury were reviewed and patients with grade IV lesions treated nonoperatively were included in the study. RESULTS: ninety-four patients with grade IV blunt splenic injury were admitted during this period. Twenty-six (27.6%) met the inclusion criteria for NOM. The average systolic blood pressure on admission was 113.07 ± 22.22 mmHg, RTS 7.66 ± 0.49 and ISS 18.34 ± 3.90. Ten patients (38.5%) required blood transfusion, with a mean of 1.92 ± 1.77 packed red cells per patient. Associated abdominal injuries were present in two patients (7.7%). NOM failed in two patients (7.7%), operated on due to worsening of abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock. No patient developed complications related to the spleen and there were no deaths in this series. Average length of hospital stay was 7.12 ± 1.98 days. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative treatment of grade IV splenic injuries in blunt abdominal trauma is safe when a rigid protocol is followed.

Hepatic trauma: a 21-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological aspects, behavior, morbidity and treatment outcomes for liver trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients over 13 years of age admitted to a university hospital from 1990 to 2010, submitted to surgery or nonoperative management (NOM). RESULTS: 748 patients were admitted with liver trauma. The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma (461 cases, 61.6%), blunt trauma occurring in 287 patients (38.4%). According to the degree of liver injury (AAST-OIS) in blunt trauma we predominantly observed Grades I and II and in penetrating trauma, Grade III. NOM was performed in 25.7% of patients with blunt injury. As for surgical procedures, suturing was performed more frequently (41.2%). The liver-related morbidity was 16.7%. The survival rate for patients with liver trauma was 73.5% for blunt and 84.2% for penetrating trauma. Mortality in complex trauma was 45.9%. CONCLUSION: trauma remains more common in younger populations and in males. There was a reduction of penetrating liver trauma. NOM proved safe and effective, and often has been used to treat patients with penetrating liver trauma. Morbidity was high and mortality was higher in victims of blunt trauma and complex liver injuries.

Tratamento não operatório de lesão esplênica grau IV é seguro usando-se rígido protocolo / Nonoperative management of splenic injury grade IV is safe using rigid protocol

OBJETIVO: demonstrar o protocolo e a experiência do serviço no TNO de lesões esplênicas contusas grau IV (classificação da Associação Americana de Cirurgia do Trauma). MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo baseado em registro de trauma de hospital universitário no período de 1990 a 2010. Prontuários de todos os pacientes com lesão esplênica foram revisados e os doentes tratados de modo não operatório com lesão grau IV foram incluídos no estudo. RESULTADOS: noventa e quatro pacientes com lesão esplênica contusa grau IV foram admitidos neste período. Vinte e seis (27,6%) apresentaram os critérios para o TNO. A média de pressão arterial sistólica na admissão foi de 113,07 ± 22,22mmHg, RTS = 7,66 ± 0,49 e ISS = 18,34 ± 3,90. Dez pacientes (38,5%) necessitaram de transfusão sanguínea, com uma média de 1,92 ± 1,77 concentrado de hemácias por paciente. Lesões abdominais associadas estavam presentes em dois pacientes (7,7%). O TNO falhou em dois pacientes (7,7%), operados devido à piora da dor abdominal e choque hipovolêmico. Nenhum paciente desenvolveu complicações relativas ao baço e não houve óbito na presente casuística. A média de dias de internação foi 7,12 ± 1,98 dias. CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento não operatório de lesões esplênicas grau IV no trauma abdominal contuso é seguro seguindo-se rígido protocolo.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the protocol and experience of our service in the nonoperative management (NOM) of grade IV blunt splenic injuries. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on trauma registry of a university hospital between 1990-2010. Charts of all patients with splenic injury were reviewed and patients with grade IV lesions treated nonoperatively were included in the study. RESULTS: ninety-four patients with grade IV blunt splenic injury were admitted during this period. Twenty-six (27.6%) met the inclusion criteria for NOM. The average systolic blood pressure on admission was 113.07 ± 22.22 mmHg, RTS 7.66 ± 0.49 and ISS 18.34 ± 3.90. Ten patients (38.5%) required blood transfusion, with a mean of 1.92 ± 1.77 packed red cells per patient. Associated abdominal injuries were present in two patients (7.7%). NOM failed in two patients (7.7%), operated on due to worsening of abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock. No patient developed complications related to the spleen and there were no deaths in this series. Average length of hospital stay was 7.12 ± 1.98 days. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative treatment of grade IV splenic injuries in blunt abdominal trauma is safe when a rigid protocol is followed.

Trauma hepático: uma experiência de 21 anos / Hepatic trauma: a 21-year experience

OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos, conduta, morbidade e resultados do tratamento trauma hepático. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de doentes com mais de 13 anos de idade admitidos em um hospital universitário de 1990 a 2010, submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico ou não operatório (TNO). RESULTADOS: foram admitidos 748 pacientes com trauma hepático. O mecanismo de trauma mais frequente foi o trauma penetrante (461 casos; 61,6%). O trauma fechado ocorreu em 287 pacientes (38,4%). De acordo com o grau de lesão hepática (AAST-OIS), no trauma fechado foi observada uma predominância dos graus I e II e no trauma penetrante, uma predominância do grau III. O TNO foi realizado em 25,7% dos pacientes com trauma hepático contuso. Entre os procedimentos cirúrgicos, a sutura foi realizada com maior frequência (41,2%). A morbidade relacionada ao fígado foi 16,7%. A taxa de sobrevida para pacientes com trauma hepático fechado foi 73,5% e no trauma penetrante de 84,2%. A mortalidade no trauma complexo foi 45,9%. CONCLUSÃO: o trauma permanece mais incidente nas populações mais jovens e no sexo masculino. Houve uma redução dos traumas hepáticos penetrantes. O TNO se mostrou seguro e efetivo, e, frequentemente, foi empregado para tratar os pacientes com trauma hepático penetrante. A morbidade foi elevada e a mortalidade foi maior em vítimas de traumas contusos e em lesões hepáticas complexas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological aspects, behavior, morbidity and treatment outcomes for liver trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients over 13 years of age admitted to a university hospital from 1990 to 2010, submitted to surgery or nonoperative management (NOM). RESULTS: 748 patients were admitted with liver trauma. The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma (461 cases, 61.6%), blunt trauma occurring in 287 patients (38.4%). According to the degree of liver injury (AAST-OIS) in blunt trauma we predominantly observed Grades I and II and in penetrating trauma, Grade III. NOM was performed in 25.7% of patients with blunt injury. As for surgical procedures, suturing was performed more frequently (41.2%). The liver-related morbidity was 16.7%. The survival rate for patients with liver trauma was 73.5% for blunt and 84.2% for penetrating trauma. Mortality in complex trauma was 45.9%. CONCLUSION: trauma remains more common in younger populations and in males. There was a reduction of penetrating liver trauma. NOM proved safe and effective, and often has been used to treat patients with penetrating liver trauma. Morbidity was high and mortality was higher in victims of blunt trauma and complex liver injuries.

Blunt hepatic trauma: comparison between surgical and nonoperative treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of blunt hepatic trauma, and compare surgical and non-surgical treatment in patients admitted with hemodynamic stability and with no obvious indications of laparotomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of cases admitted to a university teaching hospital between the years 2000 and 2010. Patients undergoing surgical treatment were divided into two groups: (a) all patients undergoing surgical treatment, and (b) patients with obvious need for surgery. RESULTS: In this period, 120 patients were admitted with blunt hepatic trauma. Sixty five patients (54.1%) were treated non-operatively and fifty five patients were operated upon. Patients treated non-operatively had better physiologic conditions on admission, demonstrated less severe injuries (except the grade of hepatic injury), received less blood components and had lower morbidity and mortality than the patients operated upon. Patients who underwent non-operative treatment had a lower need for blood transfusion but higher rates of complications and mortality than the patients operated upon. Patients who were operated upon, with no obvious indications for surgery, had higher rates of complication and mortality than patients not operated upon. CONCLUSION: A non-operative approach resulted in lower complications, a lower need for blood transfusions and lower mortality.

Trauma hepático contuso: comparação entre o tratamento cirúrgico e o não operatório / Blunt hepatic trauma: comparison between surgical and nonoperative treatment

OBJETIVO: Analisar a evolução do trauma hepático fechado e comparar o tratamento operatório e não operatório em pacientes admitidos com estabilidade hemodinâmica e nenhuma indicação óbvia de laparotomia. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de casos admitidos em um hospital universitário entre 2000 e 2010. Os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento operatório foram distribuídos em dois grupos: a) todos os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico e b) pacientes sem indicações óbvias de laparotomia. RESULTADOS: Neste período, 120 pacientes foram admitidos com trauma hepático fechado. Sessenta e cinco pacientes (54,1%) foram submetidos ao tratamento não operatório e 55 pacientes foram operados. Pacientes submetidos ao tratamento não operatório tiveram melhores parâmetros fisiológicos na admissão, menor gravidade de lesões (exceto pelo grau de lesão hepática), menor necessidade de transfusão sanguínea e menor morbidade e mortalidade quando comparados aos pacientes operados. Os pacientes operados sem indicação óbvia de cirurgia tiveram maiores taxas de complicações e mortalidade do que os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento não operatório. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento não operatório resultou em menor taxa de complicações, menor necessidade de transfusão sanguínea e menor mortalidade.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of blunt hepatic trauma, and compare surgical and non-surgical treatment in patients admitted with hemodynamic stability and with no obvious indications of laparotomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of cases admitted to a university teaching hospital between the years 2000 and 2010. Patients undergoing surgical treatment were divided into two groups: (a) all patients undergoing surgical treatment, and (b) patients with obvious need for surgery. RESULTS: In this period, 120 patients were admitted with blunt hepatic trauma. Sixty five patients (54.1%) were treated non-operatively and fifty five patients were operated upon. Patients treated non-operatively had better physiologic conditions on admission, demonstrated less severe injuries (except the grade of hepatic injury), received less blood components and had lower morbidity and mortality than the patients operated upon. Patients who underwent non-operative treatment had a lower need for blood transfusion but higher rates of complications and mortality than the patients operated upon. Patients who were operated upon, with no obvious indications for surgery, had higher rates of complication and mortality than patients not operated upon. CONCLUSION: A non-operative approach resulted in lower complications, a lower need for blood transfusions and lower mortality.

Use of Sengstaken-Blakemore intrahepatic balloon: an alternative for liver-penetrating injuries.

BACKGROUND: Severe lesions in the liver are associated with a high mortality rate. Alternative surgical techniques such as the use of an intrahepatic balloon may be effective and reduce mortality in severe hepatic lesions. This study aimed to demonstrate the experience of a university hospital in the use of the Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon in patients with transfixing penetrating hepatic injury as an alternative way to treat these challenging injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study based on the trauma registry of a university hospital was performed. All patients admitted with hepatic penetrating injuries and treated with the Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon within the period 1990-2010 were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with transfixing hepatic injuries were treated with the Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon in the study period. The most frequent cause of injury was gunshot wound (87 % of the patients). The mean trauma scores on admission were Revised Trauma Score (RTS) = 7.12 ± 1.46, Injury Severity Score (ISS) = 22.4 ± 9.7, and Abdominal Trauma Index (ATI) = 19.5 ± 11. According to the severity of the hepatic trauma, 71.8 % of patients had grade III, 23.9 % grade IV, and 4.3 % grade V injuries. Associated abdominal injuries were found in 89.1 % of the patients. The most frequent liver-related complications were hepatic abscess postoperative bleeding (8.6 %), biliary fistula (8.6 %), (4.3 %), and biliary peritonitis (2.1 %). Surgical reintervention was necessary in 14 patients (31.1 %). From those 14, only 3 had the balloon removed. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 56.5 % and 23.9 % (11 patients), respectively. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of alternative surgical techniques is essential in improving survival in patients with severe penetrating hepatic injuries. The use of intrahepatic balloon is a viable surgical strategy.

Nonoperative management for patients with grade IV blunt hepatic trauma.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of complex liver injuries remains a challenge. Nonoperative treatment for such injuries is increasingly being adopted as the initial management strategy. We reviewed our experience, at a University teaching hospital, in the nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries with the intent to evaluate failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital mortality and complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single large trauma centre in Brazil. All consecutive, hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patients with grade IV hepatic injury, between 1996 and 2011, were analyzed. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded. Failure of nonoperative management was defined by the need for surgical intervention. Need for angioembolization and transfusions, in-hospital death, and complications were also assessed RESULTS: Eighteen patients with grade IV hepatic injury treated nonoperatively during the study period were included. The nonoperative treatment failed in only one patient (5.5%) who had refractory abdominal pain. However, no missed injuries and/or worsening of bleeding were observed during the operation. None of the patients died nor need angioembolization. No complications directly related to the liver were observed. Unrelated complications to the liver occurred in three patients (16.7%); one patient developed a tracheal stenosis (secondary to tracheal intubation); one had pleural effusion; and one developed an abscess in the pleural cavity. The hospital length of stay was on average 11.56 days. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, nonoperative management of grade IV liver injury for stable blunt trauma patients is associated with high success rates without significant complications.