Publication:

Modalities in the management of splenic trauma

Background The aim of the study to study the modalities in the management of splenic trauma. Factors affecting non operative management in order to improve the outcome of conservative management, and the factors responsible for conversion to operative management.

Methods 30 patients were admitted in the Department of Surgery, NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Visakhapatnam, satisfying the inclusion criteria between 01 June 2016 to 31 August 2018.

Results A cross-sectional type of study was performed. Among the 30 patients, 21 were male and 9 were female. It was seen that in 80% of patients the mode of injury was road traffic accident. Human assault, animal attack and fall from height contributed to 6.66% each. The most common reason for conversion to operative management was fragile hemodynamic status of the patient. 20% of the cases were grade I, 40% grade II, 26.66% grade III, 6.66% each of grade IV and grade V, all cases of grade IV and grade V were managed operatively. In this study 60% of the cases could be managed conservatively, 1 case (3.33%) splenorraphy was done. 33.3% (1/3rd) patients required splenectomy, and 1 (3.33%) patient expired who presented late and with hemodynamic instability, belonged to grade V splenic injury.

Conclusions Conservative management has replaced splenectomy as the most common method of splenic trauma management in patients with stable hemodynamic status. Higher grades of splenic injuries have been managed conservatively. As a result, 60% of all blunt splenic injuries can be managed non-operatively with a success rate of 98%. Operative management associated with stringent intensive care unit (ICU), transfusions are restricted to higher grades of splenic injuries.