[Delayed rupture of the spleen].

From 1964 to 1974 14 patients affected with a delayed rupture of the spleen, were operated in the Surgical Clinic of the University of Mainz. 12 of these 14 patients had a polytrauma. Head-, brain- and thorax injuries were prevalent. Because of the risk of a delayed spleen rupture each blunt trauma has to be hospitalized and observed under clinical conditions. In unconscious patients and in all doubtful cases a peritoneal lavage should be done. If a spleen rupture is caused by an intraabdominal bleeding, Splenectomy is the therapy of choice as further complications can be avoided by this measure.