Minor hepatic bleeding arising from grade I or grade II liver injury. While packing alone addresses most cases, a subset of patients do not achieve adequate hemostasis with this initial approach.
Initial management with packing alone — supported when needed by adjuncts such as electrocautery, argon beam coagulation, or topical hemostatic agents — did not achieve the primary goal: control of hepatic bleeding (hemostasis). This protocol addresses that situation.
Control of hepatic bleeding — achieving definitive hemostasis.
Minor liver bleeding is most often due to grade I and II liver injuries and can frequently be managed by packing alone.
Although rarely required, continued bleeding may warrant repacking and temporary abdominal closure.