Koehler R H, Smith R S, Fry W R
Department of Surgery, Highland General Hospital, University of California-Davis, Oakland 94602.
Surg Laparosc Endosc. 1994 Aug;4(4):311-5.
We report herein on successfully performing a laparoscopic mesh splenorrhaphy in addition to blood salvage on a patient with a grade III splenic injury from blunt abdominal trauma. Given the lower success rates for nonoperative observation in grade III splenic trauma, we believe laparoscopic evaluation of splenic injury may offer an improved assessment over computed tomography (CT) scanning by localizing and quantitating the source of blood loss while at the same time enabling the surgeon to perform laparoscopically assisted blood salvage, autotransfusion, and laparoscopic repair. These advantages in diagnosis and therapy warrant further investigation into the role of laparoscopy in the evaluation and treatment of splenic trauma in selected stable patients.
