Traumatic Hemobilia Following Blunt Chest Trauma -Report of 2 Cases-

흉벽 손상후 발생한 외상성 Hemobilia -2례 보고-

Hemorrhage into the biliary system as a consequence of injury to the liver has been called "traumatic hemobilia," a term introduced by Sandblom in 1948. The source of gastrointestinal hemorrhage has been frequently misinterpreted, resulting in inadequate or inappropriate treatment, often with catastrophic results and needless fatalities. It is now being diagnosed with increasing frequency, due to more widespread knowledge of the syndrome and improved diagnostic means. we experienced 2 cases of hemobilia following blunt chest trauma, One patient had! multiple rib fractures on right chest by car traffic accident and 13 days later, suddenly massive melena was developed with nausea, vomiting, jaundice and severe pain on right upper quadrant. And so, he had operated on the ligation of Rt. hepatic artery and partial right hepatectomy for a traumatic hemobilia. The other one also revealed similar symptoms 20 days later following blunt chest injury by falling down accident. However, uneventful recovery was seen without any of surgical intervention in this case.