• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2024

Hepatic compartment syndrome (HCS) is a rare but life-threatening entity that consists of a decreased portal flow due to intraparenchymal hypertension secondary to subcapsular liver hematoma. Lethal liver failure can be observed. We report three cases, and review the literature. A 54-year-old male was admitted for extensive hepatic subcapsular hematoma after blunt abdominal trauma. Initially, he underwent embolization of the hepatic artery's right branch, after which he presented clinical deterioration, major cytolysis (310 times the upper limit of normal [ULN]), and liver failure with a prothrombin time (PT) at 31.0%. A 56-year-old male underwent liver transplantation for acute alcoholic hepatitis. On postoperative day 2, he presented a hemorrhagic shock associated with deterioration of liver function (cytolysis 21 ULN, PT 39.0%) due to extensive hepatic subcapsular hematoma. A 59-year-old male presented a hepatic subcapsular hematoma five days after a cholecystectomy, revealed by abdominal pain with liver dysfunction (cytolysis 10 ULN, PT 63.0%). All patients ultimately underwent urgent surgery for liver capsule excision, hematoma evacuation, and liver packing, if needed. The international literature was screened for this entity. These three patients' outcomes were favorable, and all were alive at postoperative day 90. The literature review found 15 reported cases. HCS can occur after any direct or indirect liver trauma. Surgical decompression is the main treatment, and there is probably no place for arterial embolization, which may increase the risk of liver necrosis. A 13.3% mortality rate is reported. HCS is a rare complication of subcapsular liver hematoma that compresses the liver parenchyma, and leads to liver failure. Urgent surgical decompression is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.89-92
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• 2008

A subcapsular liver hematoma (SLH) is a relatively common lesion in fetuses and neonates. Although an SLH ruptures rarely, it may be life threatening. We report on a term neonate with a delayed rupture of an SLH that occurred on day 7 of life. The infant had been resuscitated with intubation, positive pressure ventilation, and chest compression at birth because of meconium-associated perinatal depression. The SLH was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and paracentesis, and the ruptured SLH was treated operatively. After intensive medical and surgical management, the infant was discharged healthy on day 27 of life. A newborn infant presenting with the sudden onset of extreme shock and pallor associated with abdominal distension should undergo differential diagnosis for SLH and a clinical evaluation concurrent with fluid resuscitation and timely surgery.