Failure of spleen repair

A 25-year-old man underwent splenorrhaphy for a laceration of the inferior pole following blunt trauma. After 5 weeks of uneventful convalescence re-exploration was necessary for delayed formation of a perisplenic hematoma. We conclude that spleen repair is justified in the adult patient with simple injury to the poles of the organ. Careful selection and followup are essential for patients who undergo splenorrhaphy.