Background: The majority of patients with liver trauma can be managed conservatively. However, the unstable patient requires emergency laparotomy to control bleeding. Controversy exists regarding the primary surgical management of these injuries. This is of particular relevance for the isolated rural general surgeon.
Methods: The literature was reviewed by searching MEDLINE databases from 1966 to the present time. The majority of the evidence presented is level 3, with interpretations and recommendations based on the experience of the senior authors.
Results: In the majority of patients, conservative management remains the mainstay of treatment. However, haemodynamic -instability requires urgent laparotomy. Perihepatic packing should be used to arrest bleeding. Primary anatomical resection is rarely indicated, especially in non-specialist centres.
Conclusion: In the remote rural setting, severe liver trauma remains a daunting condition for the general surgeon to manage. Primary surgical treatment should be perihepatic packing, stabilization and urgent transfer; there is no place for primary anatomical resection outside specialist units.