Non-operative treatment in the management of traumatic lesions of the spleen--a new kind of therapy?

The onset of severe episodes of sepsis in splenectomized patients has induced surgeons to perform conservative operations in order to save at least partial functioning of the spleen. Recently, great interest has been focused on the non-operative treatment of traumatic lesions of the spleen, which involves careful and continual observation of patients with splenic nauma to monitor their course towards recovery. This method of treatment was recently adopted by our department for two patients whose case histories are presented herein. Non-operative treatment is suitable only in strictly selected subjects, who must be carefully monitored in an intensive care unit where constant examination and sophisticated diagnostic procedures are readily available. Although the non-operative treatment of splenic trauma is not new, it is only recently that its management, programming and role have been updated.