Delayed complications of nonoperative management of blunt adult splenic trauma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and type of delayed complications from nonoperative management of adult splenic injury. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: University teaching hospital, level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Two hundred eighty patients were admitted to the adult trauma service with blunt splenic injury during a 4-year period. Men constituted 66% of the population. The mean (+/-SEM) age was 32.2+/-1.0 years and the mean (+/-SEM) Injury Severity Score was 22.8+/-0.9. Fifty-nine patients (21%) died of multiple injuries within 48 hours and were eliminated from the study. One hundred thirty-four patients (48%) were treated operatively within the first 48 hours after injury and 87 patients (31%) were managed nonoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We reviewed the number of units of blood transfused, intensive care unit length of stay, overall length of stay, outcome, and complications occurring more than 48 hours after injury directly attributable to the splenic injury. RESULTS: Patients managed nonoperatively had a significantly lower Injury Severity Score (P<.05) than patients treated operatively. Length of stay was significantly decreased in both the number of intensive care unit days as well as total length of stay (P<.05). The number of units of blood transfused was also significantly decreased in patients managed nonoperatively (P<.05). Seven patients (8%) managed nonoperatively developed delayed complications requiring intervention. Five patients had overt bleeding that occurred at 4 days (3 patients), 6 days (1 patient), and 8 days (1 patient) after injury. Three patients underwent splenectomy, 1 had a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm embolization, and 1 had 2 areas of bleeding embolization. Two patients developed splenic abscesses at approximately 1 month after injury; both were treated by splenectomy. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of delayed splenic complications do occur with nonoperative management of splenic injuries and are potentially life-threatening.     

Improved success in nonoperative management of blunt splenic injuries: embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysms

OBJECTIVES: By using abdominal computed tomographic scans in the evaluation of blunt splenic trauma, we previously identified the presence of vascular blush as a predictor of failure, with a failure of nonoperative management of 13% in that series. This finding led to an alteration in our management scheme, which now includes the aggressive identification and embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: The medical records of 524 consecutive patients with blunt splenic injury managed over a 4.5-year period were reviewed for the following information: age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma splenic injury grade (SIG), method and outcome of management. RESULTS: Of the patients, 66% were male with a mean age of 32 +/- 16, and mean ISS of 25 +/- 13. A total of 180 patients (34%) were managed with urgent operation on admission (81% splenectomy (SIG 4.0), 19% splenorrhaphy (SIG 2.6)). The remaining 344 patients (66%) were hemodynamically stable and underwent computed tomographic scan and planned nonoperative management. Of these patients, 322 patients (94%) were successfully managed nonoperatively (61% of total splenic injuries). In 26 patients (8%), a contrast blush identified on computed tomographic scan was confirmed as a parenchymal pseudoaneurysm on arteriography. Twenty patients (SIG, 2.8) were successfully embolized. In six patients, technical failure precluded embolization; all required splenectomy (SIG, 4.0). A total of 22 patients (6%) failed nonoperative management, including the six with unsuccessful embolization attempts. Sixteen patients (SIG, 3.0) who had no evidence of pseudoaneurysm were explored for a falling hematocrit, hemodynamic instability, or a worsening follow-up computed tomography: 13 patients had splenectomy, and three patients had splenorrhaphy. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive surveillance for and embolization of posttraumatic splenic artery pseudoaneurysms improved the rate of successful nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma to 61%, with a nonoperative failure rate of only 6%. In comparison with our previous work, this reduction in failure of nonoperative management is a significant improvement (p < 0.03).     

Isolated splenic trauma in adults: value of Resciniti's CT scoring system to define the indications for surgery

The data of 62 adult patients with isolated blunt splenic trauma were retrospectively analysed to determine the value of a CT score-system in the choice of treatment: nonoperative treatment versus surgical management. 22 patients (35%) without hemodynamic instability presenting with pain localized in the left flank were primarily managed conservatively. 3 of them subsequently required splenectomy. 40 patients (65%) were operated immediately, 32 on the basis of clinical criteria and 8 on the basis of laboratory criteria. 45 patients with no initial haemodynamic disorders were investigated by abdominal CT-scan. Splenic injuries were retrospectively classified according to Resciniti's CT-scoring system. 13 patients had a splenic injury score > or = 5.5. All of them were operated, 11 early and 2 after failure of conservative management. According to our study this score > or = 5.5, which concerns 21% of our patients, can be considered to be an indication for surgery; in this case, a conservative approach should not be at tempted, even in the absence of immediate clinical and laboratory operative criteria.     

Nonoperative management of splenic injury: are follow-up computed tomographic scans of any value?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of follow-up abdominal computed tomography in patients with splenic trauma managed nonoperatively. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 consecutive patients with splenic injuries treated at a single institution from 1990 to 1996 were studied. All admission and follow-up computed tomographic (CT) scans were reviewed by the authors. RESULTS: Initial management was surgical in 35 patients (32%) and intentionally nonoperative in 73 patients (68%). Nonoperative management was successful in 45 of 49 adults (92%) and 21 of 24 children(88%). Sixty-two follow-up abdominal CT scans were obtained in 49 patients. Information that affected management was evident on only one follow-up CT scan performed in the absence of clinical indications. Potential savings in hospital and physician charges for routine follow-up CT scans in this study were $54,302.00. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up abdominal CT scans are not routinely necessary in patients with splenic injuries managed nonoperatively.     

Outcome of blunt thoracic aortic injury in a level I trauma center: an 8-year review

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with blunt thoracic aortic injury and identify factors predictive of outcome. METHODS: Hospital charts, trauma registry data, and autopsies of 64 patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury from 1988 to 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were identified and segregated based on admission physiology. Group 1 patients (n = 19) arrived in arrest. Group 2 patients (n = 10) arrived in shock with systolic BP 90. Group 3 patients (n = 35) arrived with systolic BP>90. All patients in groups 1 and 2 expired. Injury Severity Scores for nonsurvivors in group 3 (n = 12) were significantly higher than survivors. There were no significant differences when comparing time of injury to repair or arrival between groups, or in mortality or paralysis comparing repair techniques or clamp/bypass times. Double lumen endotracheal tubes caused significant operative delays compared to single lumen tubes. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of survivability were hemodynamic stability on arrival and lower Injury Severity Scores. In thoracic aortic injury patients arriving hemodynamically stable, Injury Severity Score correlated with mortality but not paralysis.     

Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic and splenic injury in children

OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed the risks of nonoperative management of solid visceral injuries in children (age range, 4 months-14 years) who were consecutively admitted to a level I pediatric trauma center during a 6-year period ending in 1991. METHOD: One hundred seventy-nine children (5.0%) sustained injury to the liver or spleen. Nineteen children (11.2%) died. Of the 160 children who survived, 4 received emergency laparotomies; 156 underwent diagnostic computer tomography and were managed nonoperatively. The percentage of children who were successfully treated nonoperatively was 97.4%. Delayed diagnosis of enteric perforations occurred in two children. Fifty-three children (34.0%) received transfusions (mean volume 16.7 mL/kg); however, transfusion rates during the latter half of the study decreased from 50% to 19% in children with hepatic injuries, despite increasing grade of injury, and decreased from 57% to 23% in the splenic group with similar injury grade (p < 0.005, chi square test and Student's t test). CONCLUSION: Pediatric blunt hepatic and splenic trauma is associated with significant mortality. Nonoperative management based on physiologic parameters, rather than on computed tomography grading of organ injury, was highly successful, with few missed injuries and a low transfusion rate.     

Carotid artery occlusion due to bacterial paranasal sinusitis

BACKGROUND: Many experts have suggested that blunt splenic trauma in patients older than 55 years should not be managed by observation because of supposed increased fragility of the spleen and decreased physiologic reserve in elderly patients. We sought to determine the outcome of nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma in patients older than 55 years. METHODS: For the years 1994 through 1996, data for patients with splenic injury older than 55 years from seven trauma centers in a single state were reviewed. RESULTS: Blunt splenic trauma occurred in 41 patients older than 55 years. Eight patients were excluded from further analysis because of death from massive associated injuries within 24 hours of admission. The remaining 33 patients (mean age, 72+/-10 years) were divided into two groups: immediate exploration (10 patients) and observation (23 patients). Observation of blunt splenic injury failed in 4 of 23 patients (17%). No patient deaths were related to the method of management of the splenic injury. CONCLUSIONS: Observation of the elderly patient with blunt splenic trauma has an acceptable failure rate of 17%.     

Blunt renal traumas: contribution of spiral CT with three dimensional reconstruction to the surgical decision process?

Spiral CT has proved to be a valuable tool by providing various kinds of three-dimensional (3D) images of the studied structures. Such 3D images, which offer a more realistic depiction of the lesions, could be of interest for surgeons who are attempting to treat conservatively blunt abdominal traumas and lead to less inappropriate triage between conservative and operative management particularly for renal trauma. A good working relationship between surgeons and radiologists allowed us to perform an early follow-up 3D spiral CT on a commercially available spiral CT scanner. In the first adult patient, the 3D CT demonstrated minor spleen injury associated with severe lacerations of the left kidney with complete separation of the kidney lower pole. A delayed partial lower nephrectomy was performed. For the second 12-year-old patient presenting with severe spleen trauma and macroscopic hematuria, the 3D CT accurately documented the spleen and renal lesions that were safely amenable to nonoperative treatment. For hemodynamically stable patients, 3D CT is a potentially helpful addition to conventional axial CT for quantifying blunt renal traumas and for making the strategic choice between nonoperative, emergency or delayed surgical treatment.     

Evaluation of alpine skiing and snowboarding injury in a northeastern state

BACKGROUND: To demonstrate the injury patterns of Alpine skiing and snowboarding in a northeastern state and evaluate potential risk factors. METHODS: The medical records of a single pediatric and adult Level I trauma center were evaluated from January 1, 1990, through December 31, 1995. All admissions with injuries caused by Alpine skiing or snowboarding were reviewed. Those patients arriving from two local ski resorts, all of whose injuries are referred to the institution for care, were separated out for consideration. Age, sex, type of injury, date of injury, Injury Severity Score, operations performed, and outcome (including mortality) were evaluated. In addition, resort utilization for the study period was obtained from the two resorts included in the evaluation. Mortality data was obtained from the Vermont office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the same time period. RESULTS: For the 6-year period of the study approximately 2,978,000 skier and snowboarder days were recorded at the study sites. Approximately 447,000 of those days were attributed to snowboarders (15%). In all, 279 patients were admitted for injuries (0.01%), 238 were related to Alpine skiing (incidence 0.01%) and 40 to snowboarding (incidence 0.01%). Snowboarders were statistically younger (20 years; range, 4-44 years) than skiers (29 years; range, 6-70 years) (p < 0.001) and had a significantly lower Injury Severity Score (15 in snowboarders vs. 27 in skiers, p < 0.03). Two female patients were injured snowboarding and 68 female patients were injured skiing. Eight percent of injured snowboarders and 16% of injured skiers sustained multiple injuries (p < 0.01). Injury patterns were significantly different. Upper extremity injuries were almost exclusively found in snowboarders (24% vs. 7%, p < 0.003), whereas cruciate ligament injuries occurred far more commonly in skiers (45% vs. 4%, p < 0.001 Lower extremity injuries in general were more common in skiers (78% vs. 38%, p < 0.001). Central nervous system injuries, including head and spine, were evenly distributed over the two groups, although the snowboarders with central nervous system injuries were younger. In addition, splenic injuries were more common in snowboarders (13% vs. 2%, p < 0.01). Snowboarding accidents were far more common in December, March, and April than other months. Fifty-one patients sustained abdominal or chest injuries and only two of these required operative intervention (two splenectomies). Other operative interventions were limited to extremity injuries, injuries of the spine, or placement of an intracranial pressure monitor. There were no fatalities recorded in this population, although over the 6.5 years, there were 25 deaths related to alpine skiing and one to snowboarding in the State (incidence 0.0000009 skier days). Victims tended to be male: 96% of the skiers and the one snowboarder. The predominant cause of death was blunt head trauma followed by blunt chest trauma. Helmets were not worn by those sustaining head injuries or fatalities. Spine injuries were recorded only in extremely young snowboarders and skiers out of control. CONCLUSION: Snowboarders and Alpine skiers are equally prone to injury. Snowboarding accidents are typically less severe and show significantly different injury patterns than skiing accidents. Abdominal and chest injuries in this population are generally amenable to nonoperative management. Prevention programs are best targeted at safe skiing and snowboarding practices, not skiing or snowboarding in poor conditions, use of helmets for skiers, and restraint of snowboard use in very young children.     

Management of blunt liver trauma in children

INTRODUCTION: Management of liver trauma in childhood represents a rare but formidable challenge. METHODS: Clinical presentation, grade of liver injury and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were studied in 11 cases of blunt liver trauma to examine factors influencing outcome. RESULTS: Seven of the 11 children were injured severely and had an ISS greater than 16. Seven who were haemodynamically stable were treated without operation, but four required surgery for grade III, IV and V liver injuries. Two children had primary repair of hepatic lacerations. Perihepatic packing was employed in two other cases (grade IV and V injury) for uncontrollable haemorrhage. Delayed debridement and thrombectomy plus vena cava repair with suturing of liver lacerations in these patients obviated heroic efforts at primary repair. Nine children survived. There were two deaths from head and neck trauma. DISCUSSION: Selected children with liver trauma can be managed non-operatively using established trauma guidelines. Perihepatic packing is recommended in unstable patients with complex injuries, followed by delayed definitive repair.     

Management of splenic trauma at a rural, Level I trauma center

The spleen is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. There remains much controversy in the diagnosis and management of the injured spleen, with a recent trend toward nonoperative management. A 5-year period was reviewed at a rural, Level I trauma center to address issues of operative versus nonoperative management. During this time period, there were 136 patients identified as having trauma to the spleen. Most (95%) were the result of blunt trauma, and a majority of these were from motor vehicle accidents. Computed tomography was the most frequent method of diagnosis. Approximately half of the patients underwent immediate operative intervention. Of those initially observed, 10 patients (16%) eventually were operated on. Most of the cases were due to underestimation of the severity of the splenic injury, and most received blood transfusion. This experience suggests that observation for splenic trauma is appropriate in many cases, as long as the surgeon is certain the spleen is not actively bleeding and the patient will not require blood transfusion.     

Nonoperative treatment of major blunt renal lacerations with urinary extravasation

PURPOSE: We determined whether nonoperative treatment of major renal lacerations with urinary extravasation adversely affects patient outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all nonoperatively treated patients who presented between 1983 and 1994 with blunt renal trauma with major lacerations on initial staging computerized tomography. Patients with major lacerations associated with (31) and without (15) extravasation were compared for complications, blood transfusions and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Urinary extravasation spontaneously resolved in 27 of 31 patients (87.1%), while 4 (12.9%) required a ureteral stent for persistent extravasation. No complications occurred in patients without extravasation. Mean hospitalization was 8.3 and 7.7 days for patients with isolated renal injuries with and without extravasation, respectively. Blood transfusions were required in 4 patients with and none without extravasation. CONCLUSIONS: Nonoperative treatment of major renal lacerations with urinary extravasation is safe and effective. Although delayed intervention may be required, complications can often be treated with endourological or percutaneous methods.     

Improved identification of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block by use of dobutamine stress echocardiography and comparison with myocardial perfusion tomography

The purpose of this report is to compare a computed tomography (CT) injury severity scale for hepatic and splenic injury with the following outcome measures: requirement for surgical hemostasis, requirement for blood transfusion and late complications. Sixty-nine children with isolated hepatic injury and 53 with isolated splenic injury were prospectively classified at CT according to extent of parenchymal involvement. Clinical records were reviewed to determine clinical outcome. Ninety-seven children (80%) were managed non-operatively without transfusion. One child with hepatic injury required surgical hemostasis, and 17 (25%) required transfusion of blood. Increasing severity of hepatic injury at CT was associated with progressively greater frequency of transfusion (P = 0.002 by chi 2-test). One child with splenic injury underwent surgery and eight (15%) required transfusion of blood. Splenic injury grade at CT did not correlate with frequency (P = 0.41 by chi 2-test) or amount (P = 0.35 by factorial analysis of variance) of transfusion. There was one late complication in the nonsurgical group. A majority of children with hepatic and splenic injury were managed non-operatively without requiring blood transfusion. The severity of injury by CT scan did not correlate with need for surgery. Increasing grade of hepatic injury at CT was associated with increasing frequency of blood transfusion. CT staging was not discriminatory in predicting transfusion requirement in splenic injury.     

Prospective validation of criteria, including age, for safe, nonsurgical management of the ruptured spleen

One hundred twelve cases of blunt splenic rupture were prospectively entered (October 1987-October 1991) into surgical or nonsurgical management groups using these criteria for the nonsurgical group: hemodynamic stability+age less than 55 years+CT scan appearance of grade I, II, or III injury+absence of concomitant injuries precluding abdominal assessment+absence of other documented abdominal injuries. All ages were included and AAST injury scaling was used. Patients were grouped from the trauma room. The surgical treatment group included 66 patients (49 splenectomies, 17 splenorraphies). These patients were generally older and more severely injured, required more transfused blood, and a longer ICU stay. The nonsurgical group included 46 patients with 33 older than 14 years. There were 3 patients over the age of 55 years inappropriately included in this group, and nonsurgical therapy failed in all three. Statistical analysis (chi 2) showed that more splenic injuries were observed and more spleens were saved with these criteria applied prospectively compared with a previous retrospective series in the same institution. Our series had a success rate of 93%, and validates the criteria used for safe, nonsurgical management of the ruptured spleen and adds a new criterion: a maximum age of 55 years.     

Splenic injury in children: a 10 year experience

The aim of this report was to review retrospectively the management of splenic trauma at a major Australian tertiary referral centre (Westmead Hospital) over a 10 year period. Forty-nine patients (0-15 years of age) with documented blunt splenic trauma were identified. The causes of splenic injury were road trauma (73%) and falls (27%). There were 22 minor injuries (Injury severity score [ISS] < 16) and 27 severe injuries (ISS > or = 16). All nine deaths were related to road trauma (mean ISS = 59). The investigation most commonly used was CT scanning (47%). Peritoneal lavage was performed in six patients (12%). Management involved non-operative care in 29 patients (57%), exploratory laparotomy alone in 5 (10%), splenic salvage in 2 (4%) and splenectomy in 13 (26%). This experience supports the view that non-operative management of splenic injury in haemodynamically stable children is safe and is the preferred treatment. Experienced assessment and meticulous observation is necessary. Laparotomy is indicated if there is continuing haemodynamic instability despite resuscitation. Operative management is aimed at splenic salvage with splenectomy being reserved for uncontrolled haemorrhage.     

Delayed surgical fixation of femur fractures is a risk factor for pulmonary failure independent of thoracic trauma

A recent retrospective analysis of femur fractures concluded that early surgical fixation in patients who have sustained blunt thoracic trauma (AIS score for Thorax > or = 2) was a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary failure. We conducted a review of all femur fractures admitted to a level I trauma center from November, 1988 to May, 1993. Inclusion criteria were ISS > or = 18, mid-shaft femur fractures treated with reamed intramedullary fixation, and no mortalities secondary to head trauma or hemorrhagic shock. One hundred thirty-eight patients met these criteria. Four patient groups were created: N1--no thoracic trauma (AIS score for thorax < 2), and early surgical fixation (< 24 hours after injury, n = 49); N2--no thoracic trauma and delayed fixation (> or = 24 hours, n = 8); T1--thoracic trauma (AIS score for Thorax > or = 2) and early fixation (n = 56); T2--thoracic trauma and delayed fixation (n = 25). There were no significant differences in age, Injury Severity Score, or Glasgow Coma Scale score between the four groups. Mortality rate, length of stay (LOS), LOS in the TICU, and duration of mechanical ventilation tended to be greater in patients with delayed fracture fixation, however, this was not statistically significant. The N2 patients had a pneumonia rate of 38% compared with 10% in group N1 (p = 0.07). The T2 patients had a pneumonia rate of 48% compared with 14% in group T1 (p = 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

"Delayed rupture of the spleen" or delayed diagnosis of the splenic injury?

Splenic rupture is the most frequent intraabdominal injury following blunt abdominal trauma. Massive hemorrhage commonly occurs from injuries to this friable vascular organ. The mortality rate from simple splenic rupture is 1%. Delayed diagnosis of a ruptured spleen increases the rate to 10%. During 1964-79, 293 patients underwent splenectomy for blunt splenic injury, of whom 278 were operated on within 24 h. All had typical signs of splenic lacerations with intraperitoneal bleeding from the time of injury. Fifteen patients were operated on more than 48 h after sustaining the injury. A detailed analysis of these 15 patients revealed that in only three did the evidence support delayed hemorrhage following traumatic rupture of the spleen. In the other 12 patients, there was a delay in recognition of the intraabdominal injury, almost entirely the result of "diagnostic error." Careful clinical inquiry and peritoneal lavage are the mainstays of early diagnosis and therapy and should help to eliminate any delay in the diagnosis of a ruptured spleen.     

Prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome by absorbable mesh prosthesis closure

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prevention of the abdominal compartment syndrome after celiotomy for trauma justifies the use of absorbable mesh prosthesis closure in severely injured patients. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of case series from July 1, 1989, to July 31, 1996. SETTING: University-based level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Seventy-three consecutive trauma patients requiring celiotomy who received absorbable mesh prosthesis closure and 73 control patients matched for injury severity and trauma type who received celiotomy without a mesh prosthesis closure. INTERVENTIONS: Absorbable mesh prosthesis closure was used in cases of excessive fascial tension, abdominal compartment syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, traumatic defect, or planned reoperation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, Injury Severity Score, Abdominal Trauma Index, highest abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score, number of abdominal/pelvic injuries, highest head Abbreviated Injury Scale score, shock, indication for mesh closure, complications, number of operations and time required for closure, days in the intensive care unit, length of stay, and mortality were determined. The highest abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score was multiplied by the number of abdominal/pelvic injuries to calculate the abdominal pelvic trauma score. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 47 patients who received mesh at initial celiotomy, and group 2, 26 patients who received mesh at a subsequent celiotomy. These 2 groups were statistically similar in demographics, injury severity, and mortality. However, group 2 had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative abdominal compartment syndrome (35% vs 0%), necrotizing fasciitis (39% vs 0%), intra-abdominal abscess/peritonitis (35% vs 4%), and enterocutaneous fistula (23% vs 11%) compared with group 1 (P < .001). Group 1 patients with preoperative abdominal compartment syndrome had more abdominal/ pelvic injuries and higher abdominal trauma index than matched controls (P < .05). There was a trend toward higher abdominal pelvic trauma score in patients who developed abdominal compartment syndrome. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the abdominal trauma index and the more easily calculated abdominal pelvic trauma score was 0.91 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The use of absorbable mesh prosthesis closure in severely injured patients undergoing celiotomy was effective in treating and preventing the abdominal compartment syndrome.     

Possible in vivo tolerance of human polymorphonuclear neutrophil to low-grade exercise-induced endotoxaemia

Splenic injury is the most common abdominal organ injury in children who sustain blunt trauma and may result from apparently minor injuries. We present two cases of delayed diagnosis of splenic injury in children who fell from a moderate height of less than 10 feet. Careful physical examination and close follow-up with reevaluation are necessary to identify children with possible splenic injury after relatively minor blunt trauma.     

Nonoperative management of liver and/or splenic injuries: effect on resident surgical experience

Changes in the management of trauma over the past few years are significantly affecting postgraduate surgical education, with the lack of operative trauma experience being a major concern in some programs. This problem is accentuated in residency programs that obtain their trauma caseload primarily from blunt injury. Our experience over the past 6 years confirms that the growing trend toward nonoperative management of blunt liver and spleen injuries in adults is likely to exacerbate this problem. Blunt trauma admissions to our Level I trauma center increased from 2888 from 1991 through 1993 (group A) to 3587 from 1994 through 1996 (group B). Liver and/or splenic injuries occurred with equal frequency in both groups. Whereas diagnostic peritoneal lavage was used in 26 per cent of group A, its use dropped to 2 per cent in group B as abdominal computerized tomography was used more frequently to evaluate these patients. Nonoperative management increased from 10 per cent of group A to 54 per cent of group B. As a result, therapeutic laparotomies dropped from 85 in group A (58% of patients with liver/splenic injuries) to 74 (35%) in group B and nontherapeutic laparotomies from 48 (33%) to 23 (11%). While the evolution in the management of blunt liver and splenic injuries has resulted in the avoidance of nontherapeutic laparotomies, the operative caseload available to surgical housestaff has been adversely affected. Although the Residency Review Committee has stressed the importance of the critical care management of these patients, the criteria used to evaluate the number of trauma cases in postgraduate surgical education may need to be revised.