THE TREATMENT OF SPLENIC INJURIES: FROM SPLENECTOMY TO NONOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT. OUR EXPERIENCE ON 429 CASES

Abstract

Background: From the first successfull splenectomy performed in 1893 the trend, in the management of splenic injuries has been increasingly toward avoiding splenectomy in favor of splenic preservation, either operatively or nonoperatively. The aim of this study is to evaluate our experience in the management of splenic injuries.

Method: 429 Patients who suffered splenic injuries from 1989 to 2001, were examinated retrospectively.

Results: 120 Patients were treated non operatively; 270 were treated with splenectomy and 39 with operative preservation. The mortality rate was 6,8% but no Patient treated nonoperatively or with surgical preservation died.

Conclusion: The splenic preservation either operatively or nonoperatively is the treatment of choice of splenic injuries in all Patients irrespective of the grade of injury or the age of the Patient.