Citation

Pitcher ME, Cade RJ, Mackay JR. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Surg. 1989; 59(6): 461-463.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2735876

Abstract

Management of ruptured spleen still frequently requires splenectomy. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing splenectomy for trauma at Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, over a 14-year period was conducted; 141 of 145 cases were due to blunt trauma. The mortality rate was 10% and all deaths occurred as a result of road traffic accidents. The overall complication rate was 43%, varying from 25% in those with an isolated splenic injury to 100% with multiple system injuries. There was zero incidence of associated intra-abdominal injury in the group sustaining a ruptured spleen as a result of a fall, assault or sporting injury, in contrast to a nearly 50% incidence following road traffic and bicycle accidents. Whether these associated injuries would have been neglected had laparotomy for splenic trauma not been performed is uncertain, and so non-operative management of splenic trauma remains contentious, particularly in cases following vehicular accidents.

Language: en