MANAGEMENT OF LIVER INJURIES

Abstract

The liver is the second most commonly injured

organ in the

abdomen owing to it's large size and

its strategic

position between the

lower ribs on

the right

and spine. Liver

injuries are

classified into injuries due to blunt trauma and

injuries due

to penetrating trauma which are

subdivided into

stab wound injuries and gun-shot

injuries. Stab wounds result in wounds with sharp edges. Bleeding in this type usually stops spontaneously while gun-shot wounds depend on the size and velocity of the missile. The patient needs urgent resuscitation and management after rapid evaluation of the patient's general condition. If the patient does not respond to the resuscitative measures, exploration of the abdomen and control of haemorrhage must be done after investigations. Management of liver injuries can be classified into surgical and conservative. Juxta-hepatic venous injuries especially to the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins are fatal. These injuries are usually diagnosed during