Surgical management for 86 cases of severe liver injury

Objective To explore the surgical alternatives to severe liver injuries. Methods The data of 86 cases with severe liver injury treated surgically from January 1989 to December 2001 were summarized. There were 43 cases with grade Ⅲ injury, 32 with grade Ⅳ and 11 with grade Ⅴ. Eleven cases complicated by injuries on cardinal vein and posthepatic vein were all treated surgically. Results Of all, 66 cases (76.7%) were cured and 20 (23.3%) died. The post operative complication occurred in 23 cases (26.7%). Conclusions Correct surgical procedure for severe liver injury is crucial for a better curative effect. It is safe and effective to ligate one or two hepatic veins when the liver trauma is complicated by hepatic vein injuries.