Iatrogenic Injury to the Spleen—CT Appearance

Intermittent Splenic Artery Occlusion Plus Gauze Compression Is a Simple and Effective Treatment for Iatrogenic Splenic Injury

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression in treating iatrogenic splenic injury.

Material/Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 12 iatrogenic splenic injury cases (grade I to III) treated with intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression. The hemostatic effect was then observed after unblocking and decompression. The total operation time, gauze compression time, total blood loss, blood loss from the injured spleen, and platelet counts of each patient before and 1 week after surgery were noted.

Results

The average operation time was 209.58±57.11 min, and the average gauze compression time after spleen artery occlusion was 23.75±4.33 min. The average total blood loss and blood loss due to iatrogenic spleen injury were 468.33±138.22 ml and 264.17±165.72 ml, respectively. Two cases (both grade I) had successful hemostasis after 15 min of splenic artery occlusion and wound compression. Another 9 cases (all grade II) and 1 case (grade III) attained hemostasis after 25 min and 30 min, respectively, of splenic artery occlusion and wound compression. The platelet counts of all patients were within the normal range before and 1 week after surgery. No postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusions

Intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression is a simple and effective treatment for iatrogenic splenic injury.

Splenic hematoma as a consequence of pneumoperitoneum

Splenic injury is a rare but serious complication of bariatric surgical procedures. Given that the need for dissection of the gastrosplenic ligament during bariatric surgical procedures, splenic injury is not unfathomable. While most subcapsular splenic hematomas may be self-limiting, continued expansion may result in splenic rupture and should, therefore, be handled with great care. With the growing rate of bariatric surgical procedures worldwide, inadvertent intra-operative splenic injury may become a more prevalent surgical complication. We report that the first documented case of subcapsular hematoma and associated gas collection following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, as well as, a proposed mechanism for the radiographic findings and potential complications.

Total Splenectomy due to an Unexpected "Complication" after Successful Extended Laparoscopic Partial Decapsulation of a Giant Epidermoid Splenic Cyst: A Case Report

Splenic cysts are rare entities and are classified as true cysts or pseudocysts based on the presence of an epithelial lining. Congenital nonparasitic true cysts can be epidermoid, dermoid, or endodermoid, present at a young age, and are commonly located in the upper pole of the spleen. Surgical treatment is recommended for symptomatic, large (more than 5 cm), or complicated cysts. Depending on cyst number, location, relation to hilus, and the major splenic vessels, the surgical options include aspiration, marsupialization, cystectomy, partial cystectomy (decapsulation), and partial or complete splenectomy. Laparoscopic techniques have now become the standard approach for many conditions, including the splenic cysts, with emphasis on the spleen-preserving minimally invasive operations. We present the successful extended partial laparoscopic decapsulation of a giant epidermoid splenic cyst in a young female patient that, although asymptomatic, was unfortunately followed by complete splenectomy five days later due to a misinterpreted abdominal CT suggesting splenic postoperative ischemia.

Iatrogenic splenic injury in postoperative patients: a series of case reports

The purpose of this study was to report case studies of iatrogenic splenic injuries on computed tomography (CT) in symptomatic postsurgical patients. The medical records and CT studies of all patients with injury to the spleen after abdominal surgery were reviewed. CT was performed in the postoperative period, urgently in all patients. Unsuspected splenic injuries were found on CT performed in the early postoperative period in seven symptomatic patients (five women and two men, age range 21-81 years) after various abdominal surgical procedures. Injuries as detected on CT included splenic infarct in five, subcapsular hematoma in two, and laceration of the spleen in one. These findings were the only abnormal abdominal findings in four of the patients and were probably the source of the postoperative abdominal pain and fever. Splenic injury is a rare complication of abdominal surgery. It is often the radiologist who diagnoses the injury, and awareness of this possible complication can obviate further investigations.