REVIEW OF LIVER TRAUMA MANAGEMENT IN TASMANIA - AN ANALYSIS OF RISK-FACTORS FOR MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY

A review of liver trauma treated by the major trauma care facilities o f Tasmania in the 5 year period between 1989 and 1993 is presented. Th e aim of this retrospective review was to provide an audit of the mana gement of liver trauma in the island of Tasmania and to analyse the ri sk factors contributing to mortality and major morbidity. Thirty-seven patients were treated with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 14 (range 9-34). The overall mortality rate of this series was 5.8%. Age , mechanism of injury (blunt or penetrating), delay prior to hospital presentation and modality of treatment (operative or non-operative) we re not significant risk factors for mortality and morbidity; however, transfusion requirement of over 10 units of blood (P < 0.005), ISS sco re of over 20 (P < 0.005), haemodynamic instability at presentation (P < 0.05) and a Hepatic Injury Score (HIS) grade of 3 or more (P < 0.05 ) were statistically significant risk factors.