Traumatic Splenic Injuries

The spleen is the most common solid organ injured in blunt abdominal trauma due to motor vehicle accident than penetrating trauma. The current nonoperative paradigm in adults was stimulated by the success of nonoperative management of solid-organ injuries in haemodynamically stable children. It encompassing both observation and embolization techniques, typically for patients with lower grade injuries and haemodynamically stable. The management approach used may vary from institution to institution depending upon the availability of resources. The choice between operative and nonoperative management depends on several factors, the haemodynamic status of the patient, grade of splenic injury, and presence of other injuries and medical co-morbidities. The rationale is based upon the assumption that salvaging functional splenic tissue avoids the surgical and anaesthetic risks and complications and preserving the immunological function of the spleen.

Consultant General Surgeon at Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, MBBS, Juba University, Clinical MD in General Surgery, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Sudan.