The hazards of suturing certain wounds of the liver.

Suturing of deep ruptures of the liver frequently produces complications of hemobilia, secondary hemorrhage and intrahepatic cavitation with sepsis and liver failure. Such complications require second and third risky operations in already critically ill patients. Such wounds should not be sutured, adequate drainage should be provided, low pressure venous bleeding should be controlled with temporary gauze tampons and arterial bleeding should be stopped by hepatic artery ligation. Such treatment obviates dangerous hepatic resections and morbid thoracoabdominal incisions and prevents hematobilia, secondary hemorrhage, intrahepatic cavitation and sepsis with hepatic failure.