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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review
Published on: March 27, 2026
[Treatment of splenic injuries in children]
Pål Aksel Naess1, Christine Gaarder, Johann Baptist Dormagen
1Barnekirurgisk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. pane@uus.no
Insights
Children with blunt splenic trauma can safely undergo non-operative management with a short hospital stay and activity restriction. Follow-up imaging is not routinely necessary for these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Trauma Management
- Pediatric Urology
Background:
- Non-operative management is standard for pediatric blunt splenic trauma.
- Optimal duration for hospital stay, follow-up imaging, and activity restriction remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of non-operative management in children with blunt splenic injuries.
- To determine appropriate lengths for hospital stay and activity restriction post-discharge.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients (age < 14) with blunt splenic injuries treated non-operatively.
- Data collected on hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, follow-up imaging, and activity restriction.
Main Results:
- Fifteen children with blunt splenic trauma were successfully treated non-operatively.
- Median hospital stay was 5 days, with a median of 0 days in the ICU.
- Median activity restriction was 4 weeks; routine follow-up ultrasounds (median 2) did not alter management.
Conclusions:
- Hemodynamically stable children with blunt splenic injuries can be managed non-operatively.
- Short hospital stays and a few weeks of activity restriction are sufficient.
- Routine follow-up imaging after non-operative splenic trauma management appears unnecessary.
Background:
Most children with blunt splenic trauma are treated non-operatively. Controversy exists regarding the minimal hospital stay, follow-up imaging and length of activity restriction required after discharge.
Material And Methods:
To evaluate outcome for this group of patients, a review was performed of children (age below 14) with blunt splenic injuries treated between January 2000 and December 2003.
Results:
Fifteen children were admitted with blunt splenic trauma, all were successfully treated non-operatively. Four patients were excluded from further analysis because of multiple injuries that prolonged their hospital stay or they were transferred to our institution more than six days after the accident. Median age was 8 years (range, 1-12). Median length of stay was 5 days (range, 3-8) including 0 days (range, 0-4) in the intensive care unit. Median numbers of follow-up ultrasound examinations were 2 (range, 0-4) with no influence on treatment. Reduced activity after discharge was advised for a median of 4 weeks (3-6). All patients had an uneventful recovery.
Interpretation:
Haemodynamically stable children with blunt splenic injuries can be treated non-operatively with short hospital stay and a few weeks of restricted activity after discharge. Routine follow-up imaging seems unnecessary.
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