Splenic trauma--nonoperative management and long-term follow-up by scintiscan

1972 TO April, 1977, 28 children with splenic rupture were managed nonoperatively. The diagnosis was confirmed by splenic scintigraphy with 99mTechnetium-sulfide colloid. Those patients whose condition was stable and satisfactory or maintained stable with intravenous fluids or blood transfusions were not operated upon. All patients sustained their ruptured spleens as a result of trauma, except for one spontaneous rupture in a patients with infectious mononucleosis. Emergency laparotomy for deterioration of clinical condition or late complications was never necessary. Splenic scans were repeated in 22 patients to assess resolution. Fourteen patients had minimal residual defects but there were no late complications detected.