Operative splenic salvage in adults: a decade perspective

The immunologic value of the spleen is now unchallenged; recognition of this fact has changed the management of splenic trauma radically over the past decade. This review describes our clinical experience in adults during this metamorphosis. In the 10-year period ending December 1987, 314 adults had splenic injury identified at emergent laparotomy. Mean patient age was 30.1 years and 81% were men. Injury mechanism was blunt in 227 (72%), stab wound in 49, and gunshot wound in 38. In 1978 splenorrhaphy was accomplished in nine (29%) of 31 patients; during 1982-1987 the rate of operative splenic salvage has been 63% (107/170). Splenorrhaphy was achieved with hemostatic agents in 40%, debridement and suturing in 40%, formal splenic resection in 13%, and mesh bag in 7%. Grade I splenic injuries were amendable to hemostatic agents alone, and suturing or mesh enclosure was necessary in 43% of Grade II and in all Grade III injuries. Grade IV disruption required anatomic splenic resection for hemorrhage control in 88% of the cases. During this period 63 patients underwent splenectomy; 48 (76%) had Grade V injuries that were technically unapproachable. The remaining splenectomies were performed expeditiously in multisystem injured patients harboring other critical injuries. This decade perspective documents the feasibility of operative splenic salvage in nearly two thirds of acutely injured adults. Conversely, more than one third require prompt splenectomy due to massive splenic disruption or the presence of concomitant life-threatening injuries.