Splenectomy in abdominal trauma in the General Hospital of Balbuena from January 2010 to December 2014

Background: In abdominal trauma, spleen is the most commonly injured abdominal organ. Spleen injuries can be managed in three modes: splenectomy, nonoperative management and splenorrhaphy, all based on the scale of severity of splenic injury of the American Association of Trauma. Objective: To determine the incidence of splenic injury and management at the Balbuena General Hospital according to the severity scale of the American Association of Trauma. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study was conducted in patients attending at the General Hospital Balbuena with splenic injury in abdominal trauma, in the period from January 2010 to December 2014, excluding all patients under 18 years old, with splenic injury. Results: Were found a total of 59 cases of patients with splenic injury. Of the total population 84.7% splenectomy was performed, 85% of cases were male and 15% female. The group with the highest number of cases of splenic lesion was found in the range from 20 to 29 years, representing 28.81%. Of the study population 55.93% are blunt abdominal trauma. Conclusion: The blunt abdominal trauma remains one of the most common causes of splenic injury. The clinical status of the patient, the degree of hypovolemic shock, the degree of splenic injury and associated injuries are the guidelines on the type of approach and treatment in patients with splenic injury. Today the blunt abdominal trauma with severe splenic injury is the most frequent indication for splenectomy