A 56-year-old man attempted suicide with an air gun and sustained a penetrating abdominal injury. On arrival, he was alert with hypotension. The injury severity score was 29. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed a gunshot wound entrance in the epigastric area (Fig. 1.). Abdominal computed tomography showed liver laceration in the left lateral segment, fluid collection in the perihepatic and perisplenic spaces, and central retroperitoneal hematoma in the retropancreatic area with contrast extravasation of the common hepatic artery (CHA) (Fig. 2.). Intraoperatively, a ballistic trajectory penetrated the diaphragm, segment III of the liver, and the CHA in the superior margin of the pancreatic head and reached the first vertebral body of the lumbar spine (Fig. 3.). Ligation for the CHA transection was performed with Prolene 4-0 suture and clipping while temporary control was achieved with digital compression (Fig. 3B). Backflow to the liver from the gastroduodenal artery was confirmed by palpation before and after ligation of the CHA. The patient made a full recovery without any complications.

Temporary vascular shunting can replace immediate definitive repair as a damage control procedure in vascular trauma. However, if preservation of collateral arterial flow is ascertained in the abdominal vessel, ligation of the arterial injury can be a simpler and quicker damage control procedure. The main goal in the treatment of a CHA injury is the preservation of arterial flow to the liver. Ligation of the CHA should be considered if intrahepatic arterial flow is preserved through collateral pathways [1]. After the CHA ligation, in theory, different collateral pathways may replace arterial flow to the liver [2]: [1] backflow from the superior mesenteric artery by way of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arcades and the gastroduodenal artery, [2] arterial flow from the left gastric artery by way of the arterial circle of the lesser curvature and the right gastric artery, [3] the pericholedocal arteries; and [4] both round and triangular falciform ligaments. These collaterals to the liver should be evaluated on preoperative imaging and through intraoperative manipulations such as arterial palpation or Doppler ultrasonography.