[Liver trauma: analysis of 42 cases in Yaounde].

Forty-two cases of liver trauma were reviewed at the Central Hospital of Yaounde between 1984 and 1994. The mean patient age was 22 years, the most commonly involved age group being between 20 and 35 years. Trauma was blunt in 24 cases (57.1%) and penetrating in 18 cases (42.8%). Diagnosis was achieved most frequently by abdominal needle puncture confirming hemoperitoneum. Emergency surgery was performed in 38 cases. In the remaining 4 cases hemodynamic status was stable and surgery was not required. Lesions were classified as grade I and II in 24 cases, grade III in 5 cases, grade IV in 3 cases, and grade V in 1 case. In the remaining 9 cases the grade of the lesion was not mentioned. Management consisted of simple suture in 26 cases, debridement in one case, packing in 4 cases, and a watchful attitude in 4 cases. In 3 cases hemorrhage was uncontrollable. Overall perioperative mortality was 14.2%. The main complication was parietal sepsis which occurred in 6 cases. In the present African series liver trauma was most often benign. This finding suggests that a conservative surgical approach is indicated.