Management of the injured spleen has changed radically over the past decade. The objective of this study was to analyze the nonoperative treatment and the conservative surgery in the splenic trauma. A retrospective study was performed in 136 patients sustaining splenic trauma from Hospital das Clínicas da FMRPUSP (1986-1995). The Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Organ Injury Scaling (OIS) were determined to evaluate the severity of the cases. Two groups were defined: group A (n=32): nonoperative management and group B (n=104): conservative surgery. The mean age between groups were similar (Group A: 20,31 ± 12,43 years and Group B: 25,02 ± 14,98 years; p>0.05). There was male predominance in both groups. The analysis of the etiology showed difference between the groups (p<0,01). There was no statistical difference in the mean ISS in both groups (A: 14,21 ± 8,67 and B: 19,44 ± 11,33; p>0.05). There was a 9,37% and 24,03% incidence of complications in groups A and B, but it was not statistically significant (p>0,05). The mean length of stay were 6,68 + 5,65 and 9,24 + 9,09 for groups A and B, respectively, with no statistical significance (p>0,05). Conclusion: either conservative surgery or nonoperative treatment are good options in the management of traumatic injuries of the spleen, and both are valid therapeutic choices when dealing with minor splenic injuries.
Trauma; Spleen; Conservative management