Severe paediatric liver injury following a sika deer attack

A boy in middle childhood was referred to the trauma centre after being attacked by a sika deer. The boy remained in stable clinical condition, complaining of severe abdominal pain. Physical examination showed a skin laceration on the upper abdomen, and abdominal CT scan revealed a major liver laceration with free intraperitoneal fluid. It was uncertain if the trauma mechanism was blunt or penetrating, but an intraperitoneally piercing injury was suspected. A diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed penetration of the peritoneum and a severe liver laceration with concomitant haemoperitoneum, but no other traumatic injuries. No postoperative complications occurred, and the patient was discharged without sequelae after 5 days.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of severe liver injury resulting from an attack by a sika deer.