SPLENORRAPHY FOR TREATMENT OF SPLENIC RUPTURE IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 81  (5) , 497-501
Abstract
An 18 mo. old black male child who had a successful hepatorraphy and splenorraphy for lacerations of each organ secondary to a 6 story fall is presented. Splenectomy was performed in the past 50 yr for essentially all splenic trauma. Recent reports have indicated the important role of the spleen in the immunolgoic defense mechanism, especially in the infant and child. The significance of the loss of the phagocytic activity and antibody response mechanisms with an asplenic infant or child are appreciated when one considers the increased morbidity and mortality rates in these asplenic patients. Although not advocated at this time for general use, a selective approach should be considered for the use of splenorraphy instead of splenectomy in traumatic lacerations of the spleen.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: