Splenic Operations In A Teaching Hospital, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objective: To review all Splenic operations performed at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital (LTH) over a four year period- highlighting the indications, associated injuries in trauma patients, complications, outcome of management and follow up care.
Patients and Methods: Information including demographic data, indications for operation, treatment and follow up care were obtained from case notes, theatre records and histology laboratory records; these were analyzed by simple percentage.
Result: Twenty-six cases (M: F-18:8) with ages ranging between two and fifty-two years (mean 24.8 years) were treated. Eighty-eight percent were done as emergencies, 95% of these were for blunt abdominal injuries. Road traffic accident was the cause in above 50% of all patients with injuries while other indications included TSS, haematological, etc. Four (17%) of trauma patients had splenic preservation procedures done. Patients with wound infection, wound dehiscence and acute gastric dilatation were seven, five and one, respectively. No case of overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis was seen. Mortality was 15.4%.
Conclusion: As trauma is the most common indication for operations on the spleen, spleen conservation should be practiced more often where open procedures are indicated.


Keywords: Splenic operations, Spleen conservation surgery, Trauma, Post-operative care, Nigeria


Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp. 15-19