Balloon Tamponade With Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube for Penetrating "Core" Liver Injury

Abstract

Gunshot injuries to the liver present challenging management problems. Abdominal packing is a useful and widely accepted technique to achieve hemostasis in complex hepatic injury, but packing alone may not provide adequate hemostasis, especially in active arterial bleeding from central liver gunshot wound. We present case report describes the use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with concomitant angiography to control exsanguinating bleeding from a central hepatic gunshot injury. Balloon tamponade followed by angioembolisation is a highly successful option for central hepatic gunshot injury and should be in armamentarium of trauma surgeon.




doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jcs94w