[Non-operative management of splenic trauma]

Non-operative management of splenic trauma is one of the most notable advances in paediatric surgery. It should be systematically proposed except for cases of hemodynamic instability. Abdominal CT scan without and with contrast injection is essential with initial optimal management. Stay in paediatric surgical intensive care unit with monitoring can prevent rare but serious complications. The time of hospitalisation stay lies between two and three weeks and will be followed by three months without contact activity. The advantages of this treatment are obvious safeguarding of splenic function and absence of postoperative complications. Consequently only one of the 88 children admitted these ten last past years for splenic trauma in our unity was operated.