A rare case of occult splenic rupture after left pneumonectomy

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques are now well-established and play a crucial role in improving survival in cardiac arrest. Recognized complications associated with CPR include injury to the upper abdominal viscera, including the liver, stomach and spleen. We present a rare case of occult splenic rupture following cardiac arrest in a 63-year-old male immediately after left pneumonectomy. We discuss potential mechanisms predisposing the spleen to injury in this case, and highlight the difficulty of promptly identifying such a traumatic injury within the confines of a cardiac arrest scenario. Clinicians should be aware that anatomical changes following thoracic surgery may render the intra-abdominal viscera at increased risk of injury following CPR.