Typically these blunt forces dissipate through and around the structure of the liver[3] and causes irreparable damage to the internal microarchitecture of the tissue.

[1] Imaging, such as the use of ultrasound or a computed tomography scan, is the generally preferred way of diagnosis as it is more accurate and is sensitive to bleeding, however; due to logistics this is not always possible.

[7] Its speed and sensitivity to injuries resulting in 400mL of free-floating fluid make it a valuable tool in the evaluation of unstable persons.

[15] Generally if there is estimated to be less than 300mL of free floating fluid, no injury to surrounding organs, and no need for blood transfusion, there is a low risk of complication from nonoperative management.

[1] In special cases where there is a higher risk with surgery, such as in the elderly, nonoperative management would include the infusion of packed red blood cells in an intensive care unit.

[2] In these severe cases it is important to prevent the progression of the trauma triad of death, which often requires the utilization of damage control surgery.

[11] Another rare procedure would be liver transplantation which is typically impractical due to the logistics of finding a proper organ donor in a timely fashion.

[21][22] During World War II the use of early laparotomy was popularized and in conjunction with the use of transfusions, advanced anesthetics, and other new surgical techniques led to decreased mortality.