Splenic Salvage: Is There a Role for Splenorrhaphy in the Management of Adult Splenic Trauma?

INTRODUCTION

Nonoperative management of splenic injuries is recommended. Total splenectomy is the primary operative management, and the current role of splenorrhaphy in splenic salvage is not well delineated.

METHODS

We reviewed the National Trauma Data Bank (2007-2019) for adult splenic injuries. Operative splenic injury management were compared. We performed bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression to estimate the effect of surgical management on mortality.

RESULTS

189,723 patients met the inclusion criteria. Splenic injury management was stable, with 18.2% undergoing a total splenectomy and 1.9% splenorrhaphy. Splenorrhaphy patients had lower crude mortality (2.7% vs 8.3%, < .001) than total splenectomy patients. Failed splenorrhaphy patients had higher crude mortality (10.1% vs 8.3%, P < .001) than patients who underwent initial total splenectomy. Patients who underwent total splenectomy had an adjusted odd of 2.30 (95% CI 1.82-2.92, < .001) for mortality compared to successful splenorrhaphy. Patients who failed splenorrhaphy had an adjusted odd of 2.36 (95% CI 1.19-4.67, < .014) for mortality compared to successful splenorrhaphy.

CONCLUSION

Adults with splenic injuries requiring operative intervention have twice the odds of mortality when a total splenectomy is performed or when splenorrhaphy fails compared to successful splenorrhaphy.