Packing and temporary closure in a liver injury

Abstract

As a component of a staged laparotomy for trauma, perihepatic packing can be lifesaving in the patient with exsanguinating liver injury who, due to hypothermia and coagulopathy, is unable to tolerate a more extensive procedure. However, if intra-abdominal pressure increases, the manoeuvre has been reported to compromise cardiopulmonary stability. Patients who suffer the adverse consequences of intra-abdominal hypertension are commonly managed with a loose temporary closure, frequently using an artificial material to bridge the skin defect across the incision. A case is reported where these two seemingly contradictory options were combined to achieve a successful outcome.