[Traumatic injuries to the spleen in adults]

The management of splenic injuries is still controversial, with an increasing trend toward non-operative treatment. The aim of this study was to assess for patients with splenic traumatic injuries, the treatment methods, the factors contributing in selecting appropriate management and the patients outcomes. Between 1994 and 2003, 77 patients were admitted and treated in our hospital for splenic traumatic injuries. There were 69 blunt (89.61%) and 8 penetrating injuries (10.38%). Nineteen patients were initially proposed for non-operative treatment, eventually only 5 patients (16.49%) were successfully treated (success rate 26.31%). Splenic conservation was used in 6 patients (7.79%; success rate 100%) and splenectomy on 66 patients (85.71%). Indications for laparotomy were: hemodynamic instability (35 patients), peritonitis (9 patients) and the presence of hemoperitoneum and splenic injury (22 patients). Overall mortality was 7.79%, with 4 deaths in splenectomy group and 2 deaths in proposed non-operative group. In conclusion, conservative treatment of splenic injuries can be performed with good results and an increasing number of patients can be treated in this way. For this purpose are necessary a perfect selection of the patients, a surgeon skilled in conservative splenic techniques and good techniques facilities.