Liver injuries in children: treatments tried, lessons learned.

Liver injuries continue to present the pediatric trauma surgeon with a formidable challenge. Most injuries are minor and are managed nonoperatively, but major injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate operation. Diagnosis is made clinically and confirmed by means by hepatic enzymes and computed tomography. The mortality associated with serious liver injuries in children is about 10%, usually from associated injuries, but exceeds 50% if major lacerations or juxtahepatic venous injuries are present.