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Liver Injury Treatment

The treatment for a liver injury may vary depending on the cause and severity of the injury. Minor contusions may not require surgical intervention, but more severe lacerations may need surgery to repair the damage to the organ.

  1. Identification

    • The function of the liver is to cleanse the body from toxins, aid in the digestion of food, convert food into energy and store iron. This vital organ also helps to regulate the clotting of blood within the body.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of a liver injury may be abdominal pain or swelling, blood in the urine, blood in the stool, vomiting blood, feeling faint, brown urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and a rapid heart rate (over 100 beats per minute).

    Potential

    • The liver is located in the upper right abdomen. Any blunt force trauma or laceration to the back, flank or upper right chest area can result in a liver injury.

    Treatment

    • A patient that has suffered a liver injury may receive IV fluids, narcotic pain medication and may be on a heart monitor. If the liver is merely bruised, this may be all the treatment that is necessary. More serious injuries may require surgery to repair the injured liver or repair the injured blood vessels that supply this organ with blood. In certain cases, it may be necessary to remove a portion of the liver.

    Warning

    • If you have a liver injury, consult your doctor if you have any of the following: trouble breathing, fainting, abdominal pain that is becoming more severe, abdominal swelling, blood in the stool, black stool, rectal bleeding, red stools, vomiting blood, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, jaundice, blood in the urine, brown urine or a rapid heart rate (over 100 bpm). This could be a sign of a worsening condition and should be treated as soon as possible.

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