Nonoperative management of delayed splenic rupture in an adult

Due to the evidence that a splenectomized patient is at increased risk for serious infection, nonoperative management of splenic injury, as well as operations designed to preserve functioning splenic tissue, have been recently reported. Most experience in nonoperative management has been in the pediatric and young-adult age groups. We report a case of delayed rupture of the spleen in a middle-aged patient who was successfully managed nonoperatively and was followed with ultrasonography to resolution.Supported in part by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Clinical Investigation Program.