The non-operative management of splenic trauma

Non-operative management of splenic trauma is not a widely accepted method of treatment. During the period 1964 to 1976, 39 children were treated in the Adelaide Children's Hospital for splenic trauma. Twenty-four were managed without operation, while 15 were treated by splenectomy. Recently, splenic scan has helped in the diagnosis and management of splenic injuries. From our observations, it appears that non-operative treatment of a proven splenic injury is safe and the ideal initial treatment in the paediatric age group, when the spleen is the only intraabdominal organ injured, and the vital signs are stable with the application of adequate resuscitative measures.