Nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma in adults

Forty-five adult patients with traumatic splenic injuries were treated during a 6-year period between 1980-1986 at Hadassah Hospital. The diagnosis was confirmed by splenic scintigraphy with 99mTc Tin-colloid. Fifteen patients (33%) who were stable on admission or after initial resuscitation were treated non-operatively and selected for this study. Treatment consisted of careful hemodynamic monitoring, strict bed rest, nasogastric suction, and i.v. fluids. In no case was emergency laparotomy necessary for deterioration of clinical condition or late complications. Splenic scans were repeated in 11 of the patients to assess resolution. In six of the patients, minimal residual defects were detected with no further complications. It is concluded that nonoperative treatment of splenic injuries in carefully selected patients is both safe and effective.