Management of Postoperative Complications in Hepatic Trauma

Abstract

The prospective study was conducted over a period of two years, from October 1997 to September 1999 in west surgical ward, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Thirty – five patients were included in the series. Twenty – five (71.43%) patients presented with firearm and 10 (28.57%) with stab injuries. Thirty – four (97.14%) patients were male and 1 (2.86%) patient was female. All patients underwent exploration. Various operative procedures were performed according to the severity of the liver injury and associated organ injuries were managed according to their own priority. Postoperative complications observed were, respiratory tract infections in 12 (34.28%), haemorrhage in 3(8.57%), biliary fistula in 4 (11.43%), liver abscess in 3 (8.57%), intra-abdominal sepsis in 4 (11.43%) and upper GI bleed in 2 (5.71%) patients. More than one complications were seen in some patients. Mortality rate in the series was 20%. High mortality and morbidity was due to multiple organ injuries, non-availability of blood and multiple organ failure.