Use of pedicled omentum as an autogenous pack for control of hemorrhage in major injuries of the liver.

Since massive hemorrhage from the traumatized liver is usually caused by disruption of the deeply situated hepatic veins, repair or resection is seldom practical. Instead, after appropriate debridement has been accomplished, such venous bleeding can rapidly and effectively be controlled by packing autogenous omentum, based on its respective gastroepiploic vessels, into the hepatic fracture crease. The liver edges are then oversewn, and sump drainage is installed. An experience with the use of this technique in 37 patients has demonstrated its almost uniform success.