A review of non-operative treatment of splenic trauma.
From January 1984 to June 1992, a period of 8.5 years, 60 patients with splenic trauma were treated in Lacor Hospital. the spleen trauma was managed conservatively in 47 (78%) of the patients. Of these, 36 of the patients (60%) were not operated upon. Eleven (18%) were operated upon but nine (15%) patients had exploratory laparotomy only without spleen manipulation and in two (3%) splenic repair was performed. Thirteen (22%) patients had splenectomy. In the non-operative group, recurrent or rebleeding was detected in one patient (2%) and delayed bleeding occurred in five patients (8%). Overall mortality rate was five (8%); two (3%) occurring in splenic salvage and three (5%) in splenectomized patients. It is concluded that with availability of facilities and personnel, in selected cases of blunt splenic trauma, splenic conservation is safe but requires close monitoring.
Alidria-Ezati
I
I
St Mary's Hospital, Lacor, Gulu Uganda.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography