Blunt hepatic trauma: A study

To study blunt hepatic trauma cases as regards the pattern, the risk factors involved and association with diaphragmatic injuries and rib fractures. Material and method: - 65 cases of blunt hepatic trauma brought for autopsy to the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal have been considered for this study. The age incidence of the victims, causative agents, incidence of external injuries to the thoraco-abdominal region, types of blunt trauma observed, frequency of right and left lobe involvement, extent of lacerations, diaphragmatic injuries and rib fractures associated with blunt hepatic trauma have been analysed.

The commonest age group of the victims was 21-30 years (27.69%) followed by the age group of 31-40 yrs (18.46%). Vehicular accident (86.15%) was the leading cause of blunt hepatic trauma. 84.62% of the cases showed associated external injuries to the thoracoabdominal region and the remaining 15.38% did not show any external injuries. The right lobe was more frequently involved (73.85%) and the convex surface of the right lobe was the common site (56.25%). Extensive lacerations of the liver were observed in 41.67% and deep lacerations in 33.33% of the cases. 12.5% of liver lacerations were associated with injuries to the diaphragm while 54.16% were associated with rib fractures, and 22.92% were without rib fractures or diaphragmatic injuries. In assessing blunt trauma cases, awareness about the commonest sites, types and degrees of hepatic injuries sustained by the victims as have been observed in the present study will be of great help in timely intervention and prompt treatment of these victims.