Nonoperative management of blunt splenic injury: what is new?

The majority of splenic injuries are currently managed nonoperatively. The primary indication for operative management of blunt splenic injury is hemodynamic instability. Findings which correlate with failure of nonoperative management include grade IV or V splenic injury, high Injury Severity Scores, or active extravasation. The role of angiograph/embolization is becoming better defined, appropriate in the patient with pseudoaneurysm or active extravasation or the stable patient with grade IV or V splenic injury.