CT scan allows detection and classification of hepatic lesions and excludes the presence of associated injuries; especially injuries BMS202 cost to hollow viscera, although in some cases it underestimates the findings. CT scan, due to its high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, is an important screening and diagnostic tool for intra-abdominal injuries in hemodynamically

stable patients; patients with altered level of consciousness; and those with difficult clinical examination or associated selleck chemicals pelvic fractures [9–12]. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries evaluating failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital morbidity

and mortality. Methods Our University teaching hospital is one of the referral trauma centers in a metropolitan area of approximately 2.8 million people. This study included patients admitted to our trauma center from 1996 through 2011. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by our institution’s research AZD3965 manufacturer ethics board. Patients were eligible for this analysis if they were adult (15 years or more); sustained grade IV hepatic injury, classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (grade IV hepatic trauma corresponds to parenchymal disruption involving 25–75% of hepatic lobe or 1–3 Coinaud’s segments in a single lobe) [1]; and were initially managed nonoperatively as per our hospital guidelines for hepatic injury. We excluded all patients who did MRIP not meet the aforementioned inclusion

criteria. All patients were initially resuscitated in accordance to the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) and were submitted to CT scan examination. Selection criteria for nonoperative liver injuries management were hemodynamic stability after initial resuscitation with crystalloid and no need for blood transfusion, absence of clinical signs of peritonitis, and no bowel injuries shown on CT scan. The nonoperative treatment protocol adopted in our trauma division is described in Table 1. Table 1 Protocol of nonoperative management in AAST-OIS grade IV blunt hepatic trauma. Protocol of nonoperative management in AAST-OIS grade IV blunt hepatic trauma – Division of Trauma Surgery – University of Campinas Criteria for patient selection: 1- Abdominal blunt trauma 2- Hemodynamic stability after initial resuscitation with no need for blood: a. Systemic blood pressure > 90 mmHg b. Initial hemoglobin level > 8 3- Evaluation by Computed Tomography with: a. Absence of associated injuries on hollow viscus and pneumoperitonium b.