Postoperative problems and management after hepatic resection for blunt injury to the liver

The postoperative problems and management of 8 patients following right hepatic lobectomy for blunt liver injury are discussed. Multiple injury and in particular chest injury are of importance. Respiratory distress may be insidious in onset and must be anticipated. Most patients require at least temporary positive pressure ventilation. Liver regeneration is rapid and histological evidence of regenerative hyperplasia is present within 3 days of injury. Hypoglycaemia of a degree sufficient to threaten life may occur postoperatively, particularly in the first 48 hours. Jaundice may be a worrying postoperative feature, but the use of T-tube drainage after hepatic lobectomy will enable any possible extrahepatic obstruction to be excluded. Hypoproteinaemia and hypo-albuminaemia occur in the immediate postoperative period, and recovery rapidly follows the peak period of regenerative activity of the liver. Normal levels are regained by the fourth to sixth postoperative weeks. Prophylactic antibiotics have no place in the postoperative management of blunt liver injury. Haemorrhagic diathesis is common after hepatic resection and is of a complex nature. Intravascular coagulation may occur and factor V deficiency is common. The mainstay of treatment is transfusion of fresh blood.