Main Article Content
Splenic conservation in children with splenic injury at Nnewi - South Eastern Nigeria: a ten year audit
Abstract
Background: The spleen is commonest organ injured in blunt abdominal trauma both in adults and in children. With increasing sophistication and modern means of transportation: the number of children sustaining blunt injury to the abdomen is increasing. Hitherto, the mode of treatment has been towards resuscitation and splenectomy but over the past one and half decades, the trend moved to conserve.
Objective: We therefore review the management of splenic injuries in children over the past ten years as well as highlight management problems.
Patients and Methods: Case notes of all splenic injuries of patients aged 15 yrs and below from 1st July 1992 to 30th June 2002 were reviewed. Parameters analysed were; age, sex, mode of injury, grade of surgeon; mode of treatment and outcome of treatment.
Results: There were 23 cases; 14 males and 9 females. Seven had grade 1-2 injuries while 16 had grades 3-5 injuries. Four had successful conservation therapy. While 15 had, splenectomy and one died before operation. There were three negative laparatomies. Three patients had postoperative wound sepsis and none had postoperative band. One failed conservation had a re-operation and eventual splenectomy.
Conclusion: Splenic conservation is feasible in a developing country like ours but the challenges are enormous and problems abound. Improvement of facilities and establishment of peadiatric trauma units will ease mush of the problems.
Keywords: splenic, conservation therapy, children
Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 9(2) 2005: 14-16
Objective: We therefore review the management of splenic injuries in children over the past ten years as well as highlight management problems.
Patients and Methods: Case notes of all splenic injuries of patients aged 15 yrs and below from 1st July 1992 to 30th June 2002 were reviewed. Parameters analysed were; age, sex, mode of injury, grade of surgeon; mode of treatment and outcome of treatment.
Results: There were 23 cases; 14 males and 9 females. Seven had grade 1-2 injuries while 16 had grades 3-5 injuries. Four had successful conservation therapy. While 15 had, splenectomy and one died before operation. There were three negative laparatomies. Three patients had postoperative wound sepsis and none had postoperative band. One failed conservation had a re-operation and eventual splenectomy.
Conclusion: Splenic conservation is feasible in a developing country like ours but the challenges are enormous and problems abound. Improvement of facilities and establishment of peadiatric trauma units will ease mush of the problems.
Keywords: splenic, conservation therapy, children
Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 9(2) 2005: 14-16
