Biliary Complications after Hepatic Trauma in Children

AIM OF THE STUDY: In pediatric patients with liver trauma and hemodynamic stability, conservative treatment is acknowledged as the gold standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 116 consecutive pediatric patients (<14-year-old) observed at our institution for closed abdominal trauma from January 2010 to January 2016. Among these, 16 patients (13%) had hepatic trauma Grade II or more, according to Moore liver trauma injury score. RESULTS: Only one patient underwent surgery for hemodynamic instability; all others children received conservative treatment according to the American Paediatric Surgical Association guidelines. Three patients had a biliary complication (2, 5%). two patients treated surgically by drainage insertion and one was managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary complications of liver trauma in children may require aggressive surgical approach in selective patients.