Management of Splenic Injury in Blunt Abdominal Trauma- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Spleen is the most commonly injured solid organ following blunt trauma. Motor vehicle collision account for more than 75% of splenic injuries. In up to 60% of patients, the spleen is the only organ injured, with mortality rates of roughly 8.5%. Some studies quote that more than half of blunt splenic injuries can be managed by non-operative management with morbidity similar to or less than that of operative management. The management of blunt splenic trauma has therefore shifted towards non operative management. Objective: To study the management of splenic injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Material and Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Surgery, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly from 1st November 2020 to 31st October 2021. 36 patients of splenic trauma were included in the study. Result: All grade I and II and 7 out of 10 grade III splenic injuries were managed conservatively. Three patients with grade III splenic damage underwent surgical intervention, with one undergoing splenectomy and two undergoing splenorrhaphy. In Grade IV splenic damage, 6 out of 7 patients were managed operatively, splenectomies were performed in 5 patients and splenorrhaphy was performed in 1 patient. All patients with grade V injuries underwent a splenectomy. Conclusion: In our study, patients with Grade I and Grade II splenic trauma and the majority of Grade III trauma a total of 52.5% of patients could be managed conservatively.