Blood Transfusion Is an Independent Predictor of Increased Mortality in Nonoperatively Managed Blunt Hepatic and Splenic Injuries

Abstract

Blood transfusion is a strong independent predictor of mortality and hospital length of stay in patients with blunt liver and spleen injuries after controlling for indices of shock and injury severity. Transfusion-associated mortality risk was highest in the subset of patients managed nonoperatively. Prospective examination of transfusion practices in treatment algorithms of blunt hepatic and splenic injuries is warranted.