ThP7.2 - Nonoperative versus Operative Management in Traumatic Liver Injuries: A Prospective LiPTA Multicentre Study

Abstract Aims The liver is the most injured abdominal organ, with subsequent significant morbidity and mortality. Over the last 30-years liver trauma management has changed, with an increase in nonoperative versus operative approaches. However, contemporary UK data on how liver trauma is managed is limited. Methods This prospective, multicentre audit was conducted through the National Trauma Research and Innovation Collaborative at 18 participating major trauma centres and units across the UK between 01/01/2021-01/10/2021. Differences in demographics, physiology, injury mechanisms, complications, length of stay, and 30-day mortality were compared between patients undergoing definitive nonoperative, including interventional radiology, or operative management. Univariable tests were used to compare data where appropriate with adjusted odds ratios of 30-day mortality used to assess definitive management via a multivariable model. Results Of 266 patients, 76.69% underwent nonoperative management. Operative patients were significantly younger, median age 29 (IQR 20-41) vs. 34 (IQR 23-52) p=0.0146, sustained more penetrating compared to blunt injuries (62.90% vs. 9.80%, p<0.0001), had more active bleeding on CT (32.65% vs. 5.97%, p<0.0001), required massive transfusions (27.42% vs. 8.33%, p=0.0001), sustained more inpatient complications (29.03% vs. 1.96%, p<0.001) and more physiologically unstable on admission. Operative compared to nonoperative management resulted in a significant 20-fold increase in 30-day mortality, (aOR 20.21, 95%CI 3.28-124.43, p=0.001). Conclusions These findings highlight the current approach to UK liver trauma management. Patients undergoing operative management have significantly greater morbidity and mortality yet may represent the severest of liver injures. Where appropriate nonoperative management should be used following liver trauma to reduce this.