Can a person live with a gunshot wound to the liver without medical help?If not,how long would it take to die?

Question

I'm asking for a book I'm writing. This is the situation.

A man gets shot in the stomach (liver). It's four hours before he can get medical help. Even then the help is only a nurse with very little skills. Self trained by reading medical books matter of fact.

Is this possible or what am I missing here.

Thanks to all who answer.

Hey starrwoode. Its called research. You don't think Stephen King and every other Author does it. Why don't you stick to answering questions you know the answers to. Why do you think theres a "Thank You" section in books. Its for all the poeple who helped contribute info to the book. Maybe if you read a little more and wasn't so wraped up in your own word you would know that.

As far as why wouldn't someone go to a hospital after being shot. The answer (and sorry I didn't explain this before) is that the world that this takes place in is very -out of kilter-

Once again thanks to all who want to give a serious answer.

Answer 1

the bullet needs to get out otherwise you're poisend - slowly and painfully. So:

1) Stop the bleeding - compress
2) get the bullet out
3) close and disinfect wound - make sure to compress to avoid further bleeding.

-> Make sure the wound remains clean and sweat free. antibiodics aren't bad...
-> the liver is one of the few organs that can grow back if you loose part of it. You will die if it is damaged too badly.

After that I think it should be fine :-D

Answer 2

The liver and stomach are two different things but I know what you mean... The problem is how bad the injury is. He'd bleed very severely and be in deep shock, and that's bad. It's operable, but otherwise the chances of surviving long are very poor. I'd suggest you'd find a way for your character to get visited by (or get to) at least a local MD -- ASAP, otherwise your story (regarding him) will be rather short.

Answer 3

I think a person with a gunshot wound to the liver will die from excessive bleeding , because the liver is so vascular, and the person with a gunshot to the stomach will either die of bleeding or die later due to infections from the stomach contents.

Answer 4

Baring death from shock and blood loss,there's a real good chance of lead poisoning,staff infection, and severe internal hemorrhaging. Bullets do tend to tumble once they hit,chewing up everything in their path. Depending on the angle of said bullets trajectory, in may even become lodged near the spine or heart.
How's that for drama?

Answer 5

many worse situations have happened. 50 cent got shot who knows how many. cant y ou like cut portions of your liver and still live? my point is you dont have to be scientifically correct in your book. many miracles that defy scince have occured right here in real life. you can just add it to your book and add it to the list of miracles.

plus in my opinion that doesnt sound so major of an injury.

goodluck on your book

Answer 6

its all according to how much harm has been done, and if shes a nurse shes been to college, no one is a nurse by reading. for one thing you are supposed to only write what you know and its rather evident you dont know anything about it, why not write total fantasy so that no one can say, oh that doesnt happen.

Answer 7

I personally would think he would bleed to death.

Is there others with him or is he by himself? More info would be helpful.

Answer 8

The theoretical person should see a theoretical doctor or he will die.

Answer 9

you must have done a serious crime not to want to go to the hospital with that wound