What is Liver Laceration

Liver laceration is a tear or a cut in the liver. The liver is an organ that is involved in many important bodily functions. Sometimes, a liver laceration can be a very serious injury.

It can cause a lot of bleeding, and surgery may be needed. Other times, a liver laceration may be minor, and bed rest may be all that is needed. Either way, treatment in a hospital is almost always required.

Liver lacerations are categorized in grades from 1 to 5. Low numbers identify lacerations that are less severe than lacerations with high numbers.

• Grade 1: This is a tear in the outer lining of the liver. It is less than ½ inch (1 cm) deep.
• Grade 2: This is a tear that is about ½ inch to 1 inch (1 to 3 cm) deep. It is less than 4 inches (10 cm) long.
• Grade 3: This is a tear that is slightly more than 1 inch (3 cm) deep.
• Grades 4 and 5: These lacerations are very deep. They affect a large part of the liver.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• A forceful hit to the area around the liver (blunt trauma), such as in a car crash. Blunt trauma can tear the liver even though it does not break the skin.
• An injury in which an object goes through the skin and into the liver (penetrating injury), such as a stab or gunshot wound.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Common symptoms of this condition include:

• A swollen and firm abdomen.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Tenderness when pressing on the right side of the abdomen.

Other symptoms include:

• Bleeding from a penetrating wound.
• Bruises on the abdomen.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Taking quick breaths.
• Feeling weak and dizzy.

How is this diagnosed?

To diagnose this condition, your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about any injuries to the right side of your abdomen. You may have various tests, such as:

• Blood tests. Your blood may be tested every few hours. This will show whether you are losing blood.
• CT scan. This test is done to check for laceration or bleeding.
• Laparoscopy. This involves placing a small camera into the abdomen and looking directly at the surface of the liver.

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on how deep the laceration is and how much bleeding you have. Treatment options include:

• Monitoring and bed rest at the hospital. You will have tests often.
• Receiving donated blood through an IV tube (transfusion) to replace blood that you have lost. You may need several transfusions.
• Surgery to pack gauze pads or special material around the laceration to help it heal or to repair the laceration.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. Do not take any other medicines unless you ask your health care provider about them first.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicines.
• Rest and limit your activity as told by your health care provider. It may be several months before you can return to your usual routine. Do not participate in activities that involve physical contact or require extra energy until your health care provider approves.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your abdominal pain does not go away.
• You feel more weak and tired than usual.

Get help right away if:

• Your abdominal pain gets worse.
• You have a cut on your skin that:
  • Has more redness, swelling, or pain around it.
  • Has more fluid or blood coming from it.
  • Feels warm to the touch.
  • Has pus or a bad smell coming from it.
• You feel dizzy or very weak.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have a fever.