Pattern and Outcome of Splenic Injury in Children

Abstract

Background: The spleen is the most frequently injured organ in abdominal trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern and management outcome of splenic injury in children in a tertiary hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective study of children treated for splenic trauma at the Pediatric Surgery Unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Enugu, Nigeria. The medical records of the patients over a 10-year period were evaluated. Results: There were 61 cases of splenic trauma of which 72.1% were male. Their ages ranged from 4 to 14 years with a median of 10 years. Road traffic accident and fracture were the most common mechanism of injury and associated injury respectively. The majority had grade III splenic injury and nonoperative management was the predominant modality of treatment. Operative procedures included splenectomy and splenorrhaphy. Mortality occurred in two (3.3%) patients. Conclusions: Splenic injury can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Road traffic accidents are a common cause of  splenic injury and nonoperative management is an effective modality of treatment.