Successful treatment of a blunt retrohepatic vena cava injury using an atriocaval shunt without sternotomy or thoracotomy: a case report

Abstract

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Retrohepatic vena cava (RHIVC) injury is often fatal and can be very difficult to manage. Total hepatic vascular isolation, a shunt, or bypass surgery is required for the surgical treatment of RHIVC injury in hemodynamically unstable patients; however, these are not easy procedures. Here, we present a case of RHIVC injury that was successfully treated by atriocaval shunt placement via a transdiaphragmatic incision without sternotomy or thoracotomy. In addition, we review the resuscitation and surgical procedures used for total hepatic vascular isolation in patients with RHIVC injury.

Keywords

• blunt liver injuries
• retrohepatic vena cava injury (RHIVC)
• total hepatic vascular isolation
• atriocaval shunt
• transdiaphragmatic incision