management
Last reviewed 01/2018
If the patient fails to respond to blood transfusion then ongoing haemorrhage is to be suspected and an urgent laparotomy is required.
The first goal is control of haemorrhage:
- sutures or packing may suffice
- radical manoeuvres require temporary occlusion of:
- the inferior vena cava above and below the liver
- the portal vein
- the hepatic artery
The second goal is removal of devitalized liver fragments:
- may require complete liver lobectomy
Haemobilia is a complication of liver trauma.