BACKGROUND: To determine during hospital admissions, the trauma mechanism, anatomical and physiological injuries, abdominal pain and rib fractures of hepatic trauma victims. METHODS: Records from December/1999 to January/2003 were reviewed and 524 were selected by the Software TNVT Plus (version 2.0.0.213 - year 1996), from patients admitted to the Emergency Service, victims of blunt thoracic-abdominal trauma and submitted partial hepatectomy, hepatorrhaphy, laparotomy, reduction or conservative treatment of rib fractures. Those records which didn't present blunt trauma, were excluded, as well as the ones who deceased in the emergency room and those under 16 years old. Therefore, 200 records were analysed. RESULTS: Regarding all liver traumas, 37.63% were caused by motor vehicle accidents,responsible for 54.29% of the most serious injuries (degrees III, IV and V). These injuries caused abdominal pain in 75.86% of the cases, and minor injuries (degrees I and II) caused abdominal pain, in 69.70%. The heart rate and the mean systolic arterial pressure with degree I or II injuries were, respectively, 100.37 beats per minute and 114.45 mmHg; and in those with degree III, IV, or V injuries were 105.69 beats per minute and 107.88 mmHg, respectively. Right rib fracture was associated to degrees I or II injuries in 29.41% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of hepatic trauma and is the main causes of the most serious injuries. These injuries caused abdominal pain with the same frequency that minor injuries. The heart rate and mean systolic arterial pressure showed no relation to degree of hepatic injury.
Abdominal injuries; Wounds and injuries
