Home Care after a Spleen or Liver Injury
This handout will help you care for your child at home after an injury to the spleen or liver.
Nutrition
- Your child will need to eat a balanced diet and drink as much fluids as he or she did before the injury. If your child needs to increase the type or amount of meats or vegetables, the nutritionist can assist you.
- Plan quiet activities for the first 7 days at home. Your child does not have to stay in bed, but should walk and play gently.
- Avoid rough play with family, friends and pets.
- Your child should not engage in any activities or sports that involve jumping, speed, climbing or rolling. This includes bike riding, in-line skating, dancing, gymnastics, football, basketball, soccer or track, until your doctor says it is okay to return to normal play.
- Have your child play board games, read, do craft projects, or play video games for short periods of time.
- It can be a challenge to distract and confine infants and toddlers. Wagon or stroller rides, or playing in a large crib or playpen may help.
- Your child can return to daycare or school after one full week at home.
- At school, your child cannot take gym class until the doctor says it’s okay.
- If your child changes classrooms during the day, have him or her leave 5 minutes early to avoid bumping into other children.
- Your child should not carry or lift more than 1-2 textbooks at a time, even if they are in a book bag or backpack.
- Recess should involve quiet activities.
- Give your child any medicines that they took before the injury.
- Do not give ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, Aleve®) or aspirin until the doctor says it’s okay.
- Your child may have some pain at home.
- Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for pain.
- Your child’s doctor may send you home with a prescription for pain medication. Use it as prescribed if the pain does not go away after giving the Tylenol®.
- If your child’s pain is still not controlled, or there is a new onset of pain, call your child’s doctor.
- Your child may shower or take a tub bath, but may need help for a few days.
- If your child has cuts or scrapes on the skin, wash the area with warm, soapy water and pat them dry.
- If your child has stitches, we will talk with you about their care.
- After the injury, your child may be tired and irritable. It takes time to heal and for your child’s normal sleep cycle to return. Use this time of healing for rest and quiet times. Reassure your child that he or she will feel better soon.
- After a serious trauma, children may feel worried, sad, fearful or angry. They may be less motivated, and become withdrawn or clingy. Sleep problems, such as bad dreams, may occur. In school, teachers may notice declines in performance. Call the Pediatric Trauma Coordinator, to discuss any of these concerns, at 608-265-0372.
Follow-up
- A follow-up visit with your UW Children’s Hospital doctor will be scheduled before you leave the hospital.
- The doctor’s phone number will be given to you on the discharge instruction sheet.
When to Call the UW Children’s Hospital
If your child has new or different back, side or shoulder pain.
Call 608-262-0486 and have them page the pediatric surgery resident on call.
Call Your Local Doctor or Primary Care Provider for any health care concerns unrelated to your child’s injury.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 03/10/2008
Copyright © 03/10/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6140
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