Cirrhosis Increases the Rate of Failure of Nonoperative Management in Blunt Liver Injuries

Pre-existing cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality in blunt liver injury. Despite widespread use of nonoperative management (NOM) for blunt liver injury, there is a relative paucity of data regarding how pre-existing cirrhosis impacts the success of NOM. Herein, we perform a retrospective cohort study using ACS TQIP 2017-2020 data to assess the relationship between cirrhosis and failure of NOM for adult patients with blunt liver injury. 37,176 patients were included (342 cirrhosis and 36,834 without cirrhosis). After propensity-score matching, patients with pre-existing cirrhosis had higher rates of failure of NOM (32.2 vs 14.1%, p < 0.01) and in-hospital mortality (36.3 vs 10.8%, p < 0.01) than patients without cirrhosis. Hesitancy to operate on patients with pre-existing cirrhosis and trauma, as well as significant underlying coagulopathy, may explain these findings.

Resection for Chronic Hepatic Abscess due to Infected Embolization Coils After Liver Injury

Liver injuries after blunt abdominal trauma are very common. Non-operative approaches to management are now the standard of care for many patients with up to and including grade V liver injuries. However, the long-term complications associated with coil embolization can be challenging to manage. We present the case of a 29-year-old male who presented with a chronic liver abscess which contained the coils following embolization of a grade IV liver injury and the subsequent transhepatic embolization of the pseudoaneurysm. In addition, the patient developed a fistula draining the abscess through the previously placed drain site that traversed the diaphragm. A multidisciplinary discussion was held between trauma surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, thoracic surgery, and interventional radiology to discuss the best treatment plan. The patient subsequently underwent liver resection, fistula tract resection, and diaphragm repair. This case presents a definitive management strategy for these complex patients.

Management of bile leak following blunt liver injury: a proposed guideline

BACKGROUND

Bile leak following blunt liver trauma is uncommon. Management is difficult due to complex vasculo-biliary and liver parenchymal injury and lack of consensus on optimal care compared with bile leak following elective hepatectomy especially in regards to endoscopic retrograde pancreaticocholangiography (ERCP) timing and patient selection.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study from a level 1-trauma centre of patients with bile leak following blunt liver injury between July 2010 and December 2019 identified from the trauma registry. Clinical data retrieved include patient demographics, injury severity score, liver injury grading and its associated complications and treatment. This was supplemented by surgical audit database and patients' electronic medical record.

RESULTS

There were 31 bile leaks amongst 639 patients with blunt liver trauma (4.9%). Bile leak was associated with higher liver injury grade (odds ratio (OR) 36, P = 0.001), hepatic embolization (OR 16, P = 0.003) and need for trauma laparotomy (OR 14, P = 0.024). ERCP was performed in 58.1% (n = 18). This was complicated in 27.7% (n = 5) by mild pancreatitis (n = 1) and intra-abdominal sepsis (n = 4) requiring surgical drainage of abscess (n = 2) and liver resection (n = 1). Bile leak settled conservatively (including percutaneous drainage) without ERCP in the remaining patients (41.9%). Overall mortality was not increased in those with bile leak (P = 0.998).

CONCLUSION

Bile leaks resolved conservatively in 41.9% of patients. Complications following ERCP were seen in 27.7%, frequently requiring intervention. Failure of conservative management was more likely in patients with hepatic embolization, in whom early ERCP remains appropriate. ERCP should otherwise be reserved for those who fail conservative management to minimize infective complications.

Use of Laparoscopy in Pediatric Blunt and Spleen Injury: An Unexpectedly Common Procedure After Cessation of Bleeding

Background: Recently, several series have reported the use of laparoscopy in pediatric trauma, most commonly for bowel and pancreatic injury within the first 12 or 24 hours. During a multicenter trial at 10 Level 1 pediatric trauma centers, selective use of laparoscopy in children with blunt liver or spleen injury (BLSI) was noted. A secondary analysis was performed to describe the frequency and application of these procedures to pediatric BLSI. Patients and Methods: Prospective data were collected on all children age ≤18 years with BLSI presenting to 1 of 10 pediatric trauma centers. An unplanned secondary analysis of children who underwent laparoscopy was done. Results: Of 1008 children with BLSI, 59 initially underwent a laparotomy, but 11 underwent a laparoscopic procedure during their index admission; 1 of these was 22 hours postlaparotomy and 2 others were laparoscopy-assisted and converted to laparotomy. Median age of patients undergoing a laparoscopic procedure was 11.5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.8-16.4). Laparoscopy was performed at 7 of the 10 centers. Median time to surgery was 42 hours (IQR: 8-96). Most patients had a liver (n = 6) injury; 4 had spleen and 1 had both. One of the laparoscopies was for pancreatic surgery, and 2 were for bowel injury (but converted to open). Conclusions: Laparoscopy was utilized in 16% of children requiring abdominal surgery after BLSI, with a median time of 42 hours postinjury. Uses included diagnostic laparoscopy, drain placement, laparoscopic pancreatectomy, and washout of hematoma.