Duplex ultrasound studies after organ saving intervention in traumatic splenic rupture

: The increased risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis (OPSI) led to the development of organ preserving procedures. However, little is known about the long-term results of organ preserving. A reduced blood flow has been suspected. In the period from 1982 till 1990 144 patients were operated on for a ruptured spleen. Thirty patients had organ preserving procedures. These failed to stop the bleeding in eight patients. Two patients died. Nineteen patients (group A) out of twenty were reexamined clinically, by ultrasound and by Duplex sonography. They were compared with matched test persons. Three patients in group A complained of recurrent minor infections. Changes in the shape and the location of the spleen were a common sonographic finding. The diameter of the hilus was 3.8 +/- 0.5 cm and the blood flow was 221 +/- 75 ml/min in group A. There was no difference to group B with 3.8 +/- 0.6 cm and 224 +/- 76 ml/min, respectively. The hemodynamic preconditions necessary for a functioning spleen could be preserved in all patients.