LIVER TRAUMA. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

The authors summarize the essential steps in liver surgery. Modern imaging techniques are of great help in establishing a circumstantiated diagnosis of post-traumatic lesions of the intra-abdomial parenchymatous organs, and especially the liver. Such diagnosis must always be based on the AAST classification, essential for a correct approach. Each therapeutic choice must be based on a careful clinical evaluation to establish whether emergency exploration of the abdomen or simple patient monitoring is indicated Organ injuries and consequent hemoperitoneum must be found and quantified. In any case, diagnosis and treatment must only begin once all measures have been taken to enure the maintenance of vital functions and the normalization of the main blood chemistry paramters.