Liver trauma in children

A review of our experience with urban children who sustained blunt abdominal trauma revealed that liver trauma occurred in one-third of all children. The cause of trauma, predominantly blunt in nature, led to a multitude of associated injuries which not only caused visceral and skeletal injury endangering the patient, but, more apparent even though less significant injuries delayed diagnosis and therapy of the underlying severe liver injury. Awareness of the possibility of liver injury in children with blunt abdominal trauma, prompt operative intervention with adequate vascular control prior to the attempted repair of liver or associated major vessel injuries should significantly increase the salvage of these pediatric trauma victims.