**1. Introduction**

#### **1.1 Liver trauma**

Trauma is the leading cause of death in people aged 1–44 years, with hemorrhage being the primary cause of preventable death, accounting for 30–40% of fatalities [1]. The liver is the main organ affected in penetrating abdominal trauma in 35–45% of cases, mainly due to its susceptible and relatively superficial location in the right hypochondrium [2], and is the most commonly injured organ in patients suffering blunt abdominal trauma as well [3].

### **2. Incidence**

Data from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) showed that liver injury occurs in almost 40% of victims of blunt abdominal trauma with an overall mortality of 14.9% [4]. Liver trauma can range from minor lacerations or capsular hematomas with minimal morbidity and mortality to hepatic avulsions with high mortality. Most hepatic injuries are minor and can be graded using the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Hepatic Injury Scale as described under the "classification" topic ahead [5].

The right lobe of the liver, being the largest portion of the liver parenchyma, constitutes the region most affected during abdominal injury. It is known that it occurs more frequently in males and in young individuals, in the first four decades of life, in the majority of cases. Associated factors include risky behavior, such as alcohol and drug consumption, and more exposure to accidents. The mortality of patients with liver trauma ranges from 14.9–20%. When associated with shotgun lesions, the severity of the injury tends to be higher; therefore, the mortality could be up to 20% [6].
