Spontaneous splenic rupture. The role of nonoperative management
J. G. Schuler and H. Filtzer
Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Mass., USA.
Spontaneous splenic rupture associated with infectious mononucleosis is an
infrequent occurrence. Splenectomy has been advocated as the appropriate
treatment for these patients. Recently, three patients with spontaneous
splenic rupture were successfully treated at our institution without
surgery. Management of spontaneous splenic rupture in 37 other patients in
the literature was reviewed. Nine of these patients also were treated
nonoperatively. Although it has been suggested that splenectomy is the
treatment of choice for patients with spontaneous splenic rupture, we
believe selective nonoperative treatment of these patients is a realistic
and safe option if it is employed appropriately.