The Utility of Serial Hemoglobin Monitoring in Non-Operative Management of Blunt Splenic Injury

Background The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) states there is not enough evidence to recommend a particular frequency of measuring Hgb values for non-operative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injury (BSI). This study was performed to compare the utility of serial Hgb (SHgb) to daily Hgb (DHgb) in this population. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with BSI between 2013 and 2019. Demographics, comorbidities, lab values, clinical decisions, and outcomes were gathered through a trauma database. Results A total of 562 patients arrive in the trauma bay with BSI. In the NOM group, 297 were successful and 37 failed NOM. Of those that failed NOM, 8 (21.6%) changed to OM due to a drop in Hgb. 5 (62.5%) were hypotensive first, 2 (25%) were no longer receiving SHgb, and 1 (12.5%) had a repeat CT scan and was embolized. DHgb patients were not significantly different from SHgb patients in injury severity, length of stay, the largest drop in Hgb, and incidence of failing NOM. Patients taking aspirin were more likely to fall below 7 g/dl at 48 and 72 hours into admission. Conclusions These results suggest that that trending SHgb may not influence clinical decision-making in NOM of BSI. Besides taking aspirin, risk factors for who would benefit from SHgb were not identified. Patients who received DHgb had similar injuries and outcomes than patients who received SHgb. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical utility of SHgb compared to DHgb.

Long-Term Incidence and Timing of Splenic Pseudoaneurysm Formation After Blunt Splenic Injury: A Retrospective, Observational, Descriptive Study

Background Nonoperative management (NOM) has become a standard strategy for hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic injury; however, delayed rupture of splenic pseudoaneurysm (SPA) is a serious complication of NOM. In medical literature, data regarding the long-term incidence of SPA are scarce, and the appropriate timing for performing follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to elucidate the long-term incidence and timing of SPA formation after blunt splenic injury in patients treated with NOM. Methods This retrospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary medical center in Japan. Patients with blunt splenic injury who were treated with NOM in the study setting, between April 2014 and August 2020, were included for the analysis. We performed follow-up contrast-enhanced CT for more than 2 weeks in 65% cases to detect SPA formation. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of delayed formation of SPA. We also evaluated differences in SPA formation between patients who received transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE; TAE group) and those who did not receive it (non-TAE group) on the admission day. Results Among 49 patients with blunt splenic injury who were treated with NOM, 32 underwent follow-up contrast-enhanced CT for over 2 weeks, and 5 of the 32 patients (10.2%) had delayed formation of SPA. All cases of SPA formation occurred within 15 days of injury. The incidence of SPA formation was not significantly different between the TAE and non-TAE groups (5.3% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.67). Conclusions SPA developed in approximately 10% of patients within 2 weeks after blunt splenic injury. Therefore, performing follow-up contrast-enhanced CT around this period after injury may be useful to evaluate delayed formation of SPA. Although our findings are novel, they should be confirmed through future studies with a larger sample size.

Combined Blunt Splenic Injury in Adults: Modern Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

Background. The high frequency of injuries of the spleen, as well as its important immunocompetent role in the body, dictate the need to develop a standardized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this category of patients.Aim. Standardization of the treatment and diagnostic approach for combined blunt splenic injury to improve treatment results.Material and methods. The analysis of literary sources of Russian and foreign authors on this issue.Results. The therapeutic and diagnostic algorithm was developed for combined blunt splenic injury based on the severity of the patient, and a detailed description of non-operative and damage control surgical treatment was given.Conclusion. The use of endovascular interventions in the treatment of splenic injuries, as well as their gradual treatment in conditions of severe polytrauma, helps to reduce mortality.

Experience with clinical pathway for management of high grade blunt splenic injuries: a prospective study in adults at two tertiary trauma centers

Background: There is ambiguity regarding anatomical site of embolization, frequency of follow-up scans and splenic function following angioembolisation in the management of high grade blunt splenic injury. A splenic salvage pathway in patients who are hemodynamically stable or resuscitated to stability was introduced across two trauma centres. The aims of this project were: to develop a clinical pathway to manage hemodynamically stable blunt splenic injury patients and to determine rates of splenic salvage for patients with high grade splenic injury, assess complications and splenic function following completion of the pathway.Methods: Prospective study over a period of 24 months. Data was collected to evaluate rates of splenic salvage, complications and function of the spleen following angioembolisation.Results: Thirty-three patients, predominantly males (n=29) between the ages of 14-85 years, were included in the study. Three (9%) with grade V injury, underwent angioembolization on admission but required splenectomy as an inpatient. On day 14, all patients (n=30) with splenic salvage underwent blood tests, with 3 patients (9%) receiving vaccination for altered red cell morphology. The introduction of clinical pathway led to an increase in our splenic salvage rate to 91%.Conclusions: We believe that introduction of proposed clinical pathway may result in increased rates of splenic salvage with preservation of function following angioembolisation.