Prolonged closed liver packing in severe hepatic trauma: experience with 36 patients.

Thirty-six patients with severe hepatic trauma were treated with prolonged closed liver packing. Reoperation to remove the packing was performed from 7 to 10 days after the first operation. Prolonged closed liver packing was associated with low infection and mortality rates. We conclude that this technique should be used in patients in whom other techniques have failed to control hemorrhage, and should not be used in patients with ruptured hollow viscus or in patients with injuries of the large extrahepatic vessels.