Doctors at Quang Tri Provincial General Hospital reported on 19/6 that the patient's condition has improved, with stable vital signs after 10 days of intensive care.

The accident occurred when the man climbed a tree about 4 meters tall. A branch unexpectedly broke, causing him to fall. Another branch on the ground then pierced his abdomen, leading to significant blood loss and unconsciousness. After receiving initial first aid and hemorrhage control at Ben Quan Commune Health Station from his family, he was immediately transferred to Quang Tri Provincial General Hospital.

Upon emergency admission, the patient was in severe shock, with blood pressure plummeting to 80/40 mmHg. Clinical examination revealed a 2x1 cm penetrating abdominal wound below the right costal margin, actively bleeding, along with chest pain and headache. Doctors promptly initiated resuscitation for shock, applied pressure to the wound to control bleeding, and ordered a full-body CT scan.

Imaging results confirmed hypovolemic shock caused by a grade IV liver injury. This is an extremely severe level of damage, directly life-threatening, prompting the medical team to immediately schedule emergency surgery.

The patient recovering after 10 days of treatment. *Photo: Minh Chau*

During the laparotomy, doctors encountered a significant amount of blood, which was quickly suctioned to clear the surgical field and identify the bleeding source. Examination of the liver revealed a severe rupture between the anterior and posterior segments, along with a deep, 4 cm tear on the visceral surface of segment V.

To save the patient's life, surgeons performed the Pringle maneuver to temporarily control blood flow to the liver. This enabled the team to identify further damage, including a torn right hepatic vein and a branch of the right portal vein. The doctors then sutured these injured vessels, meticulously repaired the severely ruptured liver, and thoroughly inspected the entire abdominal cavity before concluding the operation.

A hospital representative stated that grade IV liver trauma is a critical injury that can rapidly lead to death from acute blood loss if treatment is delayed. The prompt intervention and seamless coordination among specialists were crucial in helping the man survive the life-threatening ordeal.

Dac Thanh