Liver laceration related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Halil Beydilli; Yasemin Balci; Melike Erbas; Ethem Acar; Sahin Isik; Bulent Savran

doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2015.01.002

Halil Beydilli¹, Yasemin Balci², Melike Erbas³, Ethem Acar¹, Sahin Isik², Bulent Savran³

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, 48000 Mugla, Turkey
²Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey
³Ministry of Justice, The Forensic Branch Manager of Forensic Medicine Institute of Mugla, Mugla, Turkey

Keywords: Resuscitation complications; Emergency service; Liver laceration; Autopsy

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is recognized as a medical procedure performed to maintain vital functions of a person whose cardiac and respiratory functions have stopped. Chest compression is the most essential component of CPR and it is performed on the lower half of the sternum. During CPR, many complications may occur because of chest compressions, especially chest injuries including sternum and rib fractures. Rarely tracheal injury, rupture of the stomach, or liver or spleen injury may also occur as complications.

In this study, we present two cases of liver injury caused by resuscitation. With this article, we want to emphasize the importance of making correct chest compressions.