Selective management of injured spleen.

During the past 6 years, 68 consecutive children suffering from splenic trauma have been treated according to a selective management plan. Twenty-two patients (32%) underwent splenectomy, parenchymal repair was performed on 16 occasions (24%), and nonoperative treatment was employed in 30 children (44%). Overall results have been good in all three groups. Two children (3%) died as a result of their injuries, and 10 complications were recorded. Both deaths and 7 of the 10 complications occurred in the patients undergoing splenectomy. By utilization of a basic management plan that favors nonoperative treatment over splenic repair and repair over splenectomy, splenic salvage has been successfully accomplished in 86% of the 49 patients treated since 1977.