BACKGROUND: Conflict still remains as to the benefit of angioembolization (AE) for non-operative therapy (NOT) of blunt hepatic trauma (BHT). The aim of this study was to determine whether AE could result in lower failure rates in hemodynamically stable BHT patients with high failure risk factors for NOT, and to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of AE for NOT of BHT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of all BHT patients from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2015 at a large trauma center were collected and analyzed. Failure of NOT (FNOT) occurred if hepatic surgery was performed after attempted NOT. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with FNOT. Hepatobiliary complications related to hepatic trauma during follow-up were reviewed.

RESULTS: No significant difference in FNOT for the no angiographic embolization (NO-AE) group versus angiographic embolization (AE) group was found in hepatic trauma of grades I, II, and V. However, decrease in FNOT was significant with AE performed for hepatic trauma of grades III to IV. Risk factors for FNOT included grade III to IV injuries and contrast blush on CT. Follow-up data of six months also showed that the incidence of hepatobiliary complications in the NO-AE group was higher than the AE group.

CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamically stable BHT patients with grade III to IV injuries, contrast blush on initial CT, and/or decreasing hemoglobin levels can be candidates for selective AE during NOT course.

Keywords: Embolization, Therapeutic, Liver, Wounds, Nonpenetrating