Splenic conservation: variation between pediatric and adult trauma centers

Nonoperative management of hemodynamically stable children and adolescents with splenic injury regardless of grade has become standard; however, numerous studies have shown a wide variation in management. We compared the treatment and outcomes of adolescent splenic injuries in our region, which includes a pediatric level I trauma center (PTC) and an adult level I trauma center (ATC).

A retrospective review of the trauma registry was performed on patients 14 to 17 y old with blunt splenic injury admitted to either the local PTC or ATC from January 1999 through December 2010. Demographics, interventions, and hospital course were recorded and compared using Fisher exact, Student t-test, and multivariate analysis.

Eighty-six adolescent patients presenting to the PTC and 65 patients presenting to the ATC met the criteria over the 12-y period. Although the ATC received more significantly injured and slightly older patients, logistic multivariate analysis demonstrated that the location of presentation was the only independent factor associated with splenectomy (P = 0.0015). A higher injury severity score was associated with a longer length of stay (LOS), but the nonoperative approach was not associated with a longer LOS (P = 0.96).

Our study demonstrates that the location of presentation was independently associated with splenectomy while controlling for a higher injury severity score at the ATC. With the higher percentage of nonoperative management, treatment at the PTC was not associated with an increased LOS (total or intensive care unit).